The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Minnesota
No. 3 Volleyball preview: NCAA Semifinals [Dec. 17, 2015]
12.15.2015 | Volleyball
The Longhorns will play in their fourth-straight Final Four in Omaha, Neb.
Match 32: No. 2 Minnesota (30-4, 18-2 Big 10) vs. No. 3 Texas (29-2, 15-1 Big 12)
All-time Series vs. Minnesota: Gophers lead, 4-3 (H: 2-1, A: 0-2, N: 1-1)
Last Texas win: Sept. 7, 2012 (3-1)
Last Minnesota win: Sept. 6, 2012 (3-1)
Match 33: winner of No. 4 Nebraska (30-4, 17-3 Big 10) vs. No. 9 Kansas (30-2, 14-2 Big 12)
All-time Series vs. Nebraska: Huskers lead, 30-21 (H: 13-10, A: 6-18, N: 2-2)
All-time Series vs. Kansas: Longhorns lead, 39-4 (H: 19-1, A: 17-3, N: 3-0)
Texas' Streak: The Longhorns have won 11-straight matches
Television: Beth Mowins (play-by-play) and Karch Kiraly (analyst) have the call on ESPN2
QUICK HITS
• Texas will play in the NCAA Semifinals for the fourth-straight year and seventh in the last eight years...The Longhorns are 4-6 all-time in the semifinal round and 2-2 in the National Championship match (NCAA only) ... UT is 2-4 in the semifinal round and 1-1 in the final round under Jerritt Elliott ... The last time Texas played a semifinal match in Omaha, it lost to Stanford (2008) ... The Longhorns have an 83-29 (.741) record in NCAA Tournament matches.
• Seniors Molly McCage, Amy Neal and Kat Brooks became the only class in Texas history to advance to an NCAA Semifinal in all four years.
• The Longhorns are coming off a 3-1 defeat of No. 14 UCLA in the Regional Semifinal and No. 11 Florida in the Regional Final. Junior Chiaka Ogbogu and senior Molly McCage posted 28 and 22 kills on a .469 and .457 hitting percentage, respectively. Junior Chloe Collins posted 12.11 assists per set, sophomore Cat McCoy had 3.89 digs per set. McCage also led the team in blocks for the two matches with 1.22 per set.
Media Availability Quotes
Head Coach Jerritt Elliott
On being an underdog against Minnesota: We were discussing that in the coaches' office this morning. It's one of the first times we are going into the final four as not one of the favorites. It's a different kind of pressure for the girls, but we do have experience in the final four that we can rely on.
On going to four straight final fours: It's crazy. Four years in a row going to a final four is an amazing feat, I've never done it with another class. It shows a lot about the character of this team. This isn't the most talented team we've ever had, there are some deficiencies, but they make up for them by playing together as a team and rebound.
On winning from behind: We have had some matches where it hasn't been pretty, but they stick together. I think one of the things where they are trying to be good is short-term memory and moving on to the next play. I think when you have trust, especially on a young college team, they can rely on each other.
Senior Outside Hitter Amy Neal
On succeeding at high level in her hometown: It has been so fun, especially since every game I have my entire family there. My best friend is in Lake Travis teaching now and she comes to my games and just having my friends and my family here means so much. The fact I get to see them every game is awesome. My parents go to every away game so I have fans at every game.
On team chemistry: We fight together. I don't think it's just one player out there doing all the work and even when are down, we are going to keep fighting. We trust each other, we know the system and if we make an error, we move on quickly and it's a lot of fun out there with this team.
On making the final four every year of her career: It is crazy. I don't realize it unless I sit down and really think about it, but four final fours--there aren't a lot of people that can say they did that. Jerritt [Elliott] has an amazing record and what we have done here is amazing and the fact that I am going to another final four is incredible.
Sophomore Libero Cat McCoy
On mentality entering Final Four: This is when it's really on. We have made it to the final four seven of the last eight years, but we have only won it once, so we are hungry this year and excited about the opportunity to win another national championship
On team chemistry: This team is balanced. We have so many people on the court that can contribute, which I think is really frustrating for teams to cover. We are really balanced this year and we are better at defense, we can do it.
On fatigue of team: After the Florida match we were all exhausted. We have great trainers that are going to get us fresh and ready to go, and we are excited to play another week together.
Junior Middle Blocker Chiaka Ogbogu
On the balance of the team: This team has been the most balanced Texas team since I've been here. There is a different vibe with this team, we gel really well and I am having really good feelings towards this team.
On fight of team in crunch time: It's something that you know is there when it comes down to it. We have been to a couple of final fours, but you never know how you are going to feel until you actually get there. Knowing that we are good is good enough and treating it as just another game will help us calm our nerves a little bit.
Freshman Middle Blocker Morgan Johnson
On if she doubted that this team could accomplish something like this: No, this is a very special team. We have everything we need. We are very balanced. We have all of the pieces. We have great defense, great offense. I feel like this is the year we are going to take it.
On if three years is too long to go between national championships: As Jerritt told us, we are not going to come in and get a championship every single year. If you look at the banners, we hadn't gotten one since 1988 before 2012. I feel like this is our year, but if there is a gap in between a championship, that is not bad at all.
On what she thinks being pushed at home gives the team: It gives us that drive. It makes us hungry. If we come through and it is just an easy sweep, it is not what we came here for. We came here for a dogfight. We came here to battle and I think that is what we got.
On who will present the biggest challenge: We are not ones to overlook an opponent. They are all equal in our eyes. They are all standing in front of what we want the most.
Senior Middle Blocker Molly McCage
On going to the final four all four years at Texas: That is tribute to everyone who has worked hard to make sure we are on the court healthy and that we are all focused on volleyball. All of our staff, everyone has worked hard so that we can get to this point. It has taken a lot and hopefully we win another championship. Winning another championship is what we are hoping for.
On accomplishing four trips to the final four: I know, it is pretty great. After we beat Florida, Amy looked at me and I didn't start crying until Amy looked at me and goes 'We are going to the Final Four!' and her voice cracks. This is so great. And looking up at everyone and thinking 'Wow we have played in the best gym ever and we are finally doing this.' We have made history as this class and we are so different from any other Texas team. We are undersized and a lot more balanced. It is so much different than previous years. It is so cool to make history with this team.
On if there is a bitter taste of not winning it all for two-straight years: For sure, oh yeah. When I was watching Wisconsin and Florida I was thinking, 'I don't care who wins because I just want to beat both of them.' For sure I am bitter about it, but I think that is what has propelled us to work even harder to win against Florida.
On going to five sets against Florida: We played some messy volleyball. We don't always come out perfect, but I know that this team has a lot of heart. We can make some terrible mistakes and we can make some amazing plays just because we work hard, fight together, and have that heart.
