The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
10.20.2020 | Forty Acres Insider
Important news happening in and around Texas Athletics compiled by Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte. [<a href="http://texassports.com/archives.aspx?path=forty_acres_insider">Forty Acres Insider archives</a>]
Greetings Longhorn Nation,
We've got a really awesome week ahead as we're turning back the clock with our Retro/Throwback game when we host Baylor on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT/ESPN) at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Our Longhorns will pay tribute to the past by wearing throwback uniforms, and as a special treat, they'll wear the "Icy Whites" at home for the first time since 1950! The pandemic will limit some of the things we can do, but that's an obstacle we will overcome with a plethora of fun throwback elements across all of our social media platforms throughout the week and on game day. Crank up the Elvis music, dust off those burnt orange corduroy bell-bottoms or tracksuits and your Longhorn tube socks because it will be vintage themes all day! We'll have an awesome week and day of celebrating our great University and its rich history!
But that's not all. The Erwin Center will be heating up again with our No. 1-ranked and undefeated Volleyball team in action as they host Texas Tech on Thursday (7 p.m. CT/LHN) and Friday (6 p.m. CT/LHN) night. We'll be taking our patented Texas Fight on the road, too, with Soccer and its two-game win streak heading to Oklahoma State for a Friday night match (6 p.m. CT/ESPNU). Just like last week when Cross Country swept the Men's and Women's team titles at the Arturo Barrios Invitational in College Station, Men's and Women's Tennis both had individuals named champions at respective tournaments, and Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving turned in outstanding performances at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, there's an abundance of our Longhorn teams in action again this week.
No. 1 Volleyball Survives a Barn-Burner in Manhattan, remains undefeated
Coach Elliott and our No. 1 Texas Volleyball team won a thrilling five-set match on Friday night at No. 13 Kansas State and shut the door quickly with a three-set sweep on Saturday to remain undefeated. Trailing two sets to one in match one in Manhattan, our Longhorns dug deep, rallied to win set four (25-18) and then the decisive final fifth set (15-7) to pull out a tremendous come-from-behind victory. On Saturday, they dominated from start to finish, winning 25-15, 25-16 and 25-16. Three-time defending Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week Logan Eggleston led the way 37 kills over the two matches, while Skylar Fields (18) and Asjia O'Neal (14) had double-digit kills in Friday's epic win. Our Horns return home to face Texas Tech this Thursday and Friday at the Erwin Center. Look forward to seeing those of you who will be able to join us and cheering along with all of you watching at home, as always, thanks to our friends at Longhorn Network.
Soccer Makes it Two In-A-Row
On a windy, chilly evening in Ames last Friday, Coach Kelly and our Soccer squad held Iowa State scoreless and got a key second-half Haley Berg free-kick goal to knock off the Cyclones, 1-0. It was our outstanding senior's second-straight match with a goal and the 22nd score of her tremendous career on the Forty Acres, which is tied for seventh-best in UT history. The triumph came one week after a record-breaking 7-0 win over Kansas State, as our Longhorns notched a second-straight victory and improved to 3-3 on the season. Up next, it's back to the road as our Horns prepare to travel to Oklahoma State on Friday (6 p.m. CT/ESPNU).
Cross Country Cruises to a Double Victory
We trained, we traveled east and we kicked butt! Huge shout out to our Cross Country teams that tore up the course and the competition at Texas A&M'S Arturo Barrios Invitational last weekend. Facing a field that included four Big 12 school, three SEC programs and our rival Aggies, both our men and women raced to team titles in convincing fashion. Individually, sophomore Haftu Knight and junior Beth Ramos each earned medalist honors in their first race of the season. That was a great test and illustration that training is going great as Coach Flo and our staff continue to take dead aim on the Big 12 Championships in Lawrence, Kansas on Oct. 30.
Fast Times at Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center
The Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving teams wasted no time in making a splash to start their official seasons last weekend. The men hosted SMU and Texas A&M as part of the First Chance Invitational, and Coach Eddie Reese's group won nine of the 13 individual events. And how about freshman Carson Foster's collegiate debut! All Carson did was set a U.S. national age-group record (17-18 year olds) in the 400-yard individual medley (3:35.27), beating the previous mark by more than two seconds and also setting a UT school record in the event. Junior Drew Kibler also turned heads, recording NCAA "A" cut efforts in the 500-yard freestyle and 200-yard freestyle. The women kicked off their year with the Dust Off Your Boots Invitational (love that event name), and Coach Carol Capitani's team notched a total of 10 NCAA "B" cut efforts over the two-day competition. Our talented freshman class had a great debut, combining for five individual wins - including a pair of victories by both Olivia Bray and Anna Elendt. Up next for both teams, a home dual against Texas A&M on Friday, Oct. 30. Stay tuned to our social media platforms for more information on that meet.
Men's and Women's Tennis Racks Up Victories and Honors
Both our Men's and Women's Tennis teams had successful weekends in individual action as they continue their fall tournament play. First off, how about freshman Micah Braswell for Coach Berque and the Men's team? They've played two tournaments so far, and he's won one and shared the title in another, which was the TCU Invite this past weekend. Now that's how you get your college career started. Well done, Micah. Of course he wasn't alone, and I know Coach Berque has been really pleased with how the team is progressing, especially with the improvement they're showing in their doubles play so far. Another freshman is off to a great start for Coach Joffe and the Women's squad, as Peyton Stearns was named the Texas A&M Invitational's Singles Champion after recording a 3-0 mark at the top singles spot. The trio of Stearns, senior Fernanda Labraña and freshman Malaika Rapolu all posted 3-0 records in singles play over the three-day event, and both Labraña and Rapolu improved to 6-0 in singles this fall. Both teams will be back in action in Waco this coming weekend at separate tournaments.
We Lost Two Great Longhorns Last Week
It was a sad week on the Forty Acres as two Longhorn greats passed away, including our oldest living Longhorn Letterwinner John Henderson on Friday and Men's Basketball standout Lynn Howden on Tuesday. They will be dearly missed and never forgotten. We send our sincerest condolences to their families, friends and the many they impacted.
John Henderson (1912-2020): What an amazing story John is and all that he accomplished in his 107 years. He was so proud to be a Longhorn, and we celebrated his accomplishments with him many times in recent years, including he and his wife Charlotte entering the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest married couple with their combined 212 years of age. They also celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary last December. What an extraordinary couple and phenomenal example they are for each and everyone one of us.
Lynn Howden (1948-2020): Lynn played center for our Men's Basketball team, lettering from 1970-72, and he once corralled 24 rebounds in a game. That's still our school record, and his 11.0 rebounds per game in 1970-71 still rank among the best season averages in UT history. We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Debi, and their children: Sarah, Bethany, Abby and Sam. Bethany was a two-time All-American and four-year letterwinner on the Texas Volleyball team (2001-04).
There's a lot of action to cheer for this weekend so let's come together as a Longhorn Nation, put that passion, pride and spirit on display and root our teams to victory!
Stay safe, be healthy and Hook 'Em Horns,
P.S. – In case you missed it, on Friday we proudly recognized a very special day to all of us, National Sports Day!
P.S. II – Love this from @TexasVolleyball!
HEADLINES
Video: Leo Manzano for Hispanic Heritage Month
The Longhorn Legend discussed his family heritage and experience at UT.
Kerstetter named to Rimington Trophy watch list
Senior OL Derek Kerstetter was recognized as a candidate for the award honoring the nation's top center.
Malaika Rapolu opens up on parent-coach dynamic, journey to Texas Tennis
Men's Swimming's Carson Foster sets US national age-group record in 400-yard IM
Texas freshman bests the national age-group (17-18) record by more than two seconds and eclipses the school record in his collegiate debut.
Kickoff time set for Football at No. 6/6 Oklahoma State
The Longhorns' Halloween matchup against Oklahoma State is set for 3 p.m. CT on FOX.
