The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
22-2 (15-0Big 12)
Iowa State
18-8 (11-4Big 12)
No. 1 Volleyball remains undefeated in conference play following 3-1 win at No. 25 Iowa State
11.27.2013 | Volleyball
Jerritt Elliott becomes second coach in Big 12 history to earn 200 conference victories.
AMES, Iowa -- No. 1 Texas Volleyball improved to 15-0 in Big 12 Conference action for the second consecutive year with a 3-1 (27-25, 17-25, 25-13, 25-16) win at No. 25 Iowa State on Wednesday night. With the spotless 15-0 mark in league play, Texas could become the second conference member and first since 2004 to post an undefeated Big 12 record when it hosts Baylor on Saturday in Austin.
In addition to increasing the Texas win streak to 18 straight matches, the victory also marked head coach Jerritt Elliott's 200th career conference win. He becomes only the second coach in Big 12 history to reach the mark.
Senior setter Hannah Allison registered her fourth double-double (18th career) with 39 assists and 10 digs. Junior All-American outside hitter Haley Eckerman led both teams with 18 kills to extend her double-figure streak to seven matches, and senior libero Sarah Palmer led the Longhorns in digs for the 19th time with 17 in the win.
Texas (22-2) and Iowa State (18-8, 11-4 Big 12) fought back-and-forth in a first set that saw 11 ties and five lead changes. The Longhorns used a timely 3-0 rally to push ahead 24-22 for the first set point, but the Cyclones answered back for a 24-all tie. Tied again at 25, Texas broke through with Khat Bell's third kill of the night for a 26-25 lead and Eckerman clinched the win by following with her team-leading 32nd ace of the year.
Iowa State charged ahead early in game two and never allowed Texas within more than three points following a 5-2 start that forced UT to call an early timeout. The Cyclones outhit the Longhorns .429 (17-2-35) - .265 (13-4-34) to tie the match as the Longhorns lost only their seventh set in conference play.
UT responded with a powerful 13-4 opening run in the next set to put the game out of reach for Iowa State and cruised to a 25-13 win for a 2-1 lead. Eckerman and Bell led the Longhorns with four kills each while Molly McCage and Chiaka Ogbogu led the Texas block with two apiece. Texas carried its momentum into the fourth set and translated it into a 25-16 win at Hilton Coliseum.
Next up for Texas is a return home where it will host Baylor Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. in the final regular season match of the year. Immediately following the match, the Longhorns will be presented with the Big 12 Conference trophy for earning their third straight championship and a special Senior Day recognition will take place for seniors Hannah Allison, Megan Futch, Sarah Palmer and Bailey Webster.
NCAA First and Second Rounds – Dec. 5-7
The University of Texas MAY be selected to host NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball First and Second Rounds Dec. 5-7, 2013. Host sites and dates will be announced on ESPNU Sunday, Dec. 1 at 8:30 p.m. Central. General admission all-session tickets are available online at TexasSports.com, by calling 512-471-3333, or in person at the Bellmont Hall ticket office (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m-4 p.m.).
