The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
2-1,0-0Big 12
#5 Minnesota
2-1,0-0Big Ten
No. 7 Volleyball takes down No. 5 Minnesota
08.29.2023 | Volleyball
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – No. 7 Texas Volleyball battled to a tough road win over No. 5 Minnesota, 25-14, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23, on Tuesday in front of a sold-out crowd at Maturi Pavilion.
The Longhorns (2-1) were led by Asjia O'Neal, who played her first match of the season and finished with seven kills and eight blocks.
Madisen Skinner had her first double-double of the season with a team-high 16 kills and 11 digs, while also finishing with three service aces. Jenna Wenaas added 13 kills and three blocks, while Molly Phillips finished with nine kills and four blocks and Bella Bergmark had six kills and five blocks.
Texas served tough all night as a team with 10 total aces, led by four from Ella Swindle. The freshman setter also dished out 42 assists and had nine digs, four blocks and four kills.
Emma Halter had a career-high 19 digs and added five assists and one service ace. Keonilei Akana finished with 11 digs and one ace, while Carissa Barnes had 10 digs and one ace.
The first set was close early before Texas took a commanding lead with a dominant 12-2 run. The Longhorns hit .500 in the first set and finished with four service aces and four blocks en route to a 25-14 win.
The teams went back-and-forth throughout the second set, but Minnesota ultimately pulled ahead late to tie the match up 1-1 with a 25-23 win.
Texas started fast in the third set, jumping out to a 5-1 lead and leading basically the entire way. The Longhorns were up 16-12 but used a 6-1 run to go up 22-13 and cruise to a 25-17 win in the set. Skinner had a team-high seven kills in the third set.
The fourth set was another tough battle, with Texas trailing most of the way before tying it at 20-all. The Longhorns were able to close it out with Skinner putting the final kill to the floor.
Texas will turn its attention to the home opener at Gregory Gym, welcoming No. 2 Stanford on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
