The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
25 - 2
Texas A&M University
19 - 12
No. 1 Volleyball defeats Texas A&M 3-1 in second round of the NCAA Championships
12.06.2013 | Volleyball, Student Orange Bloods
Texas advances to the NCAA Lincoln Regional slated for Dec. 13-14 in Lincoln, Neb.
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 1 Texas Longhorns defeated the Texas A&M Aggies, 3-1 (25-14, 25-18, 15-25, 25-19), in the second round of the NCAA Championships at Gregory Gym Friday evening. With the win, Texas (25-2) advances to next weekend's regional for the eighth consecutive year, the longest active streak among all NCAA Division I team.
All-Americans Haley Eckerman and Bailey Webster recorded 20 and 18 kills, respectively, while defensively the Longhorns notched a season-high 18.5 team blocks. Junior Khat Bell and sophomore Molly McCage accrued eight block-assists each, a season-high for Bell. Senior setter Hannah Allison tallied 45 assists, her most in eight matches.
The Texas defense came out ready to play, racking up four early blocks to take an early 9-3 lead. The block party continued as Texas notched 7.5 team blocks in the opening set, eclipsing their average of 2.84 blocks per set, which ranks 12th nationally. Eckerman and Webster swatted four kills apiece as Texas cruised to a 25-14 first set win.
The former conference foes exchanged points throughout the second set. Neither team led by more than two points until Texas took control, using a 4-1 spurt to take a 16-13 advantage. The Longhorns finished off the Aggies to win the second set 25-18.
Texas A&M (19-12) commanded the third set, jumping out to an 11-4 edge. Texas would get as close as four points at 12-8, but the Aggies would not relinquish the lead, winning 25-15 to close the gap to 2-1 for the match.
The Aggies carried momentum into the fourth, racing to a 6-3 edge. Texas would fight back to win the next four points, taking their first lead at 7-6. Tied at 12, the Longhorns swung the momentum with a 7-0 run to lead 19-12. Texas A&M would close to 21-18, but Eckerman put the Aggies away with her match-high 20th kill of the night to give Texas the 25-19 win.
Texas now advances to the NCAA Lincoln Regional next weekend (Dec. 13-14) where it will face the winner of the Durham Sub-Regional. It is unlikely that Texas will have more than 35 tickets for sale to donors who are season tickets holders, as this regional site is an advanced sellout. If you are interested in purchasing Lincoln Regional tickets, please stay tuned to TexasSports.com for updates.
POST-MATCH QUOTES
TEXAS
Head coach Jerritt Elliott
Opening statement: We have so much respect for Texas A&M and we know that it's going to be a battle and it was tonight. Laurie and her staff did an amazing job getting back in the match in game three and put the pressure back on us and I was proud of the way our team responded. Before I get into this a little bit more I just want to make sure I thank everybody that was a part of this in terms of the first and second rounds. Our administration did a great job, the event staff, and all those people that volunteered with the NCAA, so thank you very much. This is a big win for us. Regardless of what seed you are you don't take things for granted, you don't look past teams. We have done a great job with that as a program here in the last few years and we made some big plays to make that happen. We know that it is an honor to be in the round of 16, we have got some work to do with our next opponent, and we are just honor to represent our University and take that next step.
Junior OH Haley Eckerman
On how she adjusted to hit around the A&M block: I think our defense was doing most of that and Sarah (Palmer) was talking to us a lot about what was open and telling us where the defense was and that was something that we watched on film kind of how they set up. We just played the game.
Junior MB Khat Bell
On how did Texas pick up on A&M's rhythm early on in the first set to get 7.5 blocks: I guess with films fresh in our minds, what the rhythm is, and what the coaches tell us to do. Eric is a big part of it, helping us out with the where the hits were going. So we were feeling it from the start.
Senior OH Bailey Webster
On how she stays calm knowing each game could be her last collegiate game: I think knowing that it is my last match just makes me even more excited about the game. It's not really about a relaxing factor but I know as a senior and one of the older ones you have to have a way of staying calm when things get awry. But most importantly I was really excited because it was my last match and I wanted to use the opportunity to the fullest.
TEXAS A&M
Head Coach Laurie Corbelli
Opening statement: We had a lot of fun except for the ending. I think our first two sets we were a little conservative and not in the attack mode that we needed to be: In full on attack mode. Getting down two sets to none is not a good way to start against the number one seed at their place. We finally got some wheels going and got our attack going. We had a blast. Loved playing free and not having to win, and we were having a great time. We got outplayed there in the fourth set with a few too many errors. Overall, we're proud of the season we had. We start three freshmen, and I'm just really proud of my team.
Sophomore OH/OPP Sierra Patrick
On Texas defense in the first set: When the game first started, we obviously weren't used to going up against (Texas OH/OPP) Bailey (Webster) whose touching like 17 feet. It kind of took us a little while to adjust and get used to it. Everyone on the court and off the court kept saying, "be patient, be patient. It'll come." I guess our mindset really was to be patient and to know the kills would come once we got adjusted to the block and figure out a way to get around it.
Senior L/OH Heather Reynolds
On second set giving momentum for the third set win: I think it goes the same as what Sierra (Patrick) was saying. Same as our attackers, we were saying in the back row, "we have to be patient." We got stops on defense and got to a lot more balls because we kind of knew what to expect. We adjusted to what they were doing, and it worked.
POST-MATCH NOTES
Team notes
- With the win, the Longhorns punched their eighth-consecutive ticket to the NCAA Regionals and 26th overall.
- Texas is now 73-27 (.730) overall in NCAA Championship matches … the Longhorns have won their last eight-straight NCAA Tournament matches.
- Texas now sports a 56-9 record in all-time in NCAA matches played in Austin.
- Texas' 21-match win streak is it's longest since compiling the same in 2010.
- The Longhorns recorded a season-high 18.5 blocks.
- For the 12th time this season, Texas recorded 50+ kills in a match .... it is the ninth in a four-set match.
- With the win, Texas notched its eighth season with 25 or more wins under head coach Jerritt Elliott … it is the seventh-straight season with 25+ wins since 2007.
Individual notes
- Haley Eckerman recorded double-figure kills (20) for the 10th consecutive match … her 20 kills and 15 digs marked her second-consecutive double-double … she has registered a team-high nine double-doubles (16 career).
