The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Colgate
No. 3 seed Texas Volleyball sweeps Colgate in first round of 2012 NCAA Tournament
11.29.2012 | Volleyball
Nov. 29, 2012
Final Stats | Quotes |
AUSTIN, Texas -- Junior All-America outside hitter Bailey Webster led the No. 3 Texas Longhorns with 15 kills Thursday in a 3-0 win (25-4, 25-11, 25-15) against the Colgate Raiders in the first round of the 2012 NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament. Texas (25-4) allowed only four points in set one, the fewest allowed in UT history in a non-fifth set since the start of rally scoring in 2001.
The Longhorns hit .543 as a team, the second-highest percentage of the season. Webster recorded a .619 hitting percentage (15-2-21), while adding three digs and two blocks. Sophomore middle blocker Khat Bell registered 12 kills on 17 swings with only one error (.647), as well as one service ace. Senior utility Sha'Dare McNeal posted eight kills on 11 attempts with no errors for a .727 clip. Junior setter Hannah Allison had 41 assists and tied her career high with three aces while freshman Kat Brooks also had a season-high three aces.
Colgate (17-15) was led by Diane Seely with five kills.
The Raiders registered the first point of set one in what would be their only lead of the game. Webster answered for Texas with three straight kills. The set also featured 11 unanswered points for the Longhorns, who earned 17 kills on 24 swings in the set with only one error for a .667 team hitting percentage.
Texas kicked off the second set with four straight, highlighted by another two Webster kills. Set three began with considerably more balance, as Colgate tied the score at one and, after three unanswered from the Horns, narrowed Texas' lead to a single point twice. Up 17-11, Texas launched a 5-0 streak. The Raiders responded with four unanswered of their own, but it would not be enough as the Horns closed out the match with three straight.
Texas will face Texas A&M in NCAA second-round action tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The match will be broadcast on Longhorn Network with an audio stream on TexasSports.com. A Fan Fest will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the Gregory Gym Plaza with activities for the entire family. Gametracker live stats will be available on TexasSports.com with live Twitter updates @TexasVolleyball.
Notes: Texas is now a perfect 26-0 in NCAA first-round matches...the previous fewest points allowed in UT history (non-fifth set) since the advent of rally scoring in 2001 was five (at Colorado, third set - 10/30/10)...Hannah Allison recorded three aces in a match for the third time in her career...freshman Amy Neal tied her season high with an ace tonight...freshman Sara Hattis tied her season high of three blocks.
CU 4-11-15 TEXAS 25-25-25Records: Texas (24-4), Colgate (17-15) Kills: Bailey Webster 15 (Texas), Diane Seely 5 (Colgate)
Team: CU TEXAS 1 .048 .667 2 -.120 .433 3 .192 .556 Match .042 .543
POST-MATCH QUOTES
Texas head coach Jerritt Elliott
Opening statement: I would first like to congratulate Colgate on a great season. I know they had a big win in their conference tournament in order to get to this tournament, I know how exciting that is, so again congrats to them. I felt very good about our match tonight; the team was very focused, we had very good rhythm, and we were prepared mentally, which is very impressive. We are looking forward to a great match tomorrow against Texas A&M. We need everyone to come out to support us. Let's sell this gym out.
On what tonight's match proved: I think it showed that we are prepared. For me, it was about how we were playing, and today I liked what I saw from the team. I like this team but I know that each night can be different. Each step that we take is going to be a little different but as a team we have to prepare ourselves.
On playing Texas A&M tomorrow night: For coaches it is about winning, for the fans it is about the rivalry, but for the athletes it is about the energy that it builds. It is a double dose. You want to win for sure and you don't want to take a loss from the Aggies. I have a lot of respect for their team. Both teams will play hard.
Junior outside hitter Bailey Webster
On her thoughts after the first match: When we finished the first game all I could think of was the 2010 match against Colorado, it was a similar match.
On playing Texas A&M tomorrow night: We are excited. We are excited to play any team at this point. Any team in the NCAA tournament is exciting to play; whether it is Texas A&M or not. If you are in the tournament you are a good team so it should be a good match. We know that we are playing Texas A&M, and the rest of the world knows that is our rival, but we are focused on doing what we need to do to win. We hope that everyone comes out to support us.
Junior setter Hannah Allison
On the momentum of the first set: I think the momentum did change there, particularly because it put them back on their heels a little bit enough to slow them down.
On the focus of the match: There was a big focus on getting a good rhythm on our side of the court and doing the little things right. We wanted to do the simple things well and keep things fired on all sides.
