The regional has not sold out yet. I would recommend buying online at www.texasboxoffice.com before hand though. The queu for buying tickets can sometimes be long for big matches. Reserved seats are sold out but general admission remains. With a general admission ticket, the earlier you get there the better your seat.

As far as parking goes, the cheapest and closest is the state lot directly across from Bob Bullock. If that one is full or unavailable, the Brazos parking garage next to Jester is available for a fee ( I think it’s $5). They provide a golf cart that shuttles you back and forth from the garage to Gregory.

Texas’ match on Friday will more than likely not start at exactly 6:30. If the Iowa State/Oregon games goes 4 sets it will start no earlier than 7. If it goes 5 sets, Texas could start as late as 7:30. So don’t stress if traffic is bad or you are running late.

During the match, get involved with the following:
1. After every point Texas scores, the announce will say “Point Texas” the crowd responds “Point Texas” along with the Hook ‘Em Horns sign. The technically correct hand sign is to extend the index finger for “Point” and the Hook ’Em for Texas, but it has evolved to the Hook ’Em for both.
2. After each block by Texas, the students will yell “Whose House?” The crowd responds "Horns’ House"
3. A lesser practiced one is when the opposing teams serves or spikes into the net…the students yell “How high’s the net?” and the crowd responds “Too High!”

Sounds fun, let’s do this.

Final Four high!

One win away the past two years has left me with a taste for more. And that’s how this team was left feeling after last year’s stunning loss to USC in a sweep. The Horns can’t allow the Pac 10 to end their season year after year if they want to be considered an elite program. With the #2 rated recruiting classes each of the past 3 years, and the top recruit in the country committed to join the team next year, Texas is positioned to be a regular in the Final Four for years to come. Why not start the streak this year?

I think they still have first row-ish seats available for $20. Steal!

As expected, Destinee, Ashley and Pao all make the First Team. In a surprise, Juliann made it as Honorable Mention but super freshman Michelle Kocher did not. As Tempest notes, Juliann definitely had a sophomore slump this year, and was probably voted in based on her freshman accolades. Michelle exceeded everyone’s expectations this year, taking on the challenging role as the team’s quarterback and essentially picking up where Michelle Moriarty left off.

The four Horns that were recognized at the regional level will now compete for recognition on the national team. I would expect Destinee and Pao to take First Team honors and Ashley to make the Second Team. I’m not sure Juliann will make HM at the next level.

The details are posted here.

The Longhorns victory against Wichita State clinched the 2008 senior class their 102nd career victory, a mark that makes them the winningest class in the Jerritt Elliott era.

That mark is almost certain to be broken next year. The seniors should leave with between 105-110 wins – and hopefully a national championship.

Iowa State continued their surprising post-season run by upsetting Oregon. They were blown out of the gym during the first two games, but came back to win the match 3-2.

Texas swept Iowa State 3-0 in both of their matches during the regular season. Texas just needs to take care of business tonight against UCLA then they are almost assured of a trip to Lincoln.

Oddly enough, they were all atypical minorities- black, hispanic, and sparsely white and short- all about 5’2" ish. I thought it was funny they were all screaming profanities and talking shit like they’d grown a new pair of brass balls with their trumpets.

….goes the PAC-10. Texas takes out UCLA 3-1.

Well I thought I was full of it, when I arrived at Gregory to see Set 2 of Iowa State vs Oregon. Iowa State looked like a high school team against a college team firing on all cylinders. Christy Johnson must have had one helluva halftime speech.

Texas came out in Set 1 on fire! It helped that UCLA’s senior setter went down with an ankle sprain. In Set 2 UCLA jumped out on us 5-0 and we never could recover. Sets 3 & 4 were very exciting to say the least. The UCLA 6’6" middle blocker definitely had Destinee frustrated. But the team perserved and pulled out the win.

Iowa State will be no cupcake tomorrow evening. They play defense as well as UCLA. Although after going up against the tall girls from UCLA, it’s going to seem like we are hitting around a junior high school block against ISU. We just need to weather ISU’s defensive rallies and we should be fine. I expect this one may go 4 as well.

On a side note, the Texas fans were very supportive of ISU tonight chanting along with their fans during timeouts, etc. I was a little disappointed to see them fail to reciprocate during our rallies in Sets 3&4. They sat there like bumps on a log. The Texas fans came out tonight, I’d guess we were about 75% full. Iowa State brought a good contingent. Everyone needs to get to Gregory tomorrow at 5:30 to pack the place and send the Gazelles off to Omaha.

That’s got to be a first. She’s often unstoppable when she’s in her groove, but I don’t remember her ever having the most kills on the night. In fact, her 17 kills might be a career best. I’m sure Tempest will correct me if I’m wrong.

The interesting thing is Texas appears to have won despite not having a good night offensively. Overall the team hit with a .196 efficiency – about half what they usually deliver. Destinee attacked the ball 53 times but was only successfull 16 times. UCLA clearly played awesome defense.

texassports.com hasn’t bothered to put up the game recap yet, but the UCLA site has.

Link for tickets to today’s match. Student tickets only $5.

www.texasboxoffice.com

The Gazelles overcame a momentary lapse in concentration in the 3rd set to take out Iowa State tonight 25-19 25-19 17-25 25-12 and advance to the Final Four.

Texas will likely face Stanford in Omaha. The Cardinal are currently up 2-0 on Hawii, including an embarassing 25-9 rout in the second set. In the other half of the bracket undefeated Penn State easily brushed aside Cal to advance and will face the winner of Nebraska / Washington later tonight. The Huskies are favored to win on their home court.

Once again you have to go to the opponents’ website to get the game recap. I guess no one works weekends at texassports.com.