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Volleyball's Quest for The Final Four Continues...

This weekend it's the regionals at Gregory Gym.  Our Gazelles have their work cut out for them as they have two PAC-10 teams and a Big 12 foe waiting to end their dreams of a final four. 

I'm reminded of Bum Phillips back in the days when the Oilers came close but couldn't make the Superbowl....we have been knocking on the door and this year it's time to kick the son of a bitch in!  That's how I feel going into this weekend.

Star-divide

The schedule for this weekend is:

FRIDAY 4:30 - Oregon vs Iowa State

FRIDAY 6:30 ( or 30 minutes after 1st match)  - Texas vs UCLA

SATURDAY 5:30 - Regional Final

I can't stress enough how important having a packed house is to the team.  They play better and the environment is outstanding when the seats are full.  They need your help to make the Final Four.  So get there if it's at all possible.

Keys to Victory for Texas:

1. PASSING - Passing has been the achilles heel of Texas this year.  If Texas passes well this weekend, we are Omaha-bound.  If we don't we could easily see a result similar to the USC fiasco last year in Gainesville.  Kocher needs to have all 3 options available to her so she can distribute the ball effectively.  There are only two other teams, Penn State and Stanford, that have the offensive firepower of Texas.  No one in our regional comes close.  So if Texas passes well to allow Hooker, Engle, Pao, Faucette and the recently discovered power hitter Jen Doris to terminate; Texas wins.

2. Key Contributions from Emerging Players:  Hooker, Engle and Pao have carried the load through most of the season.  But another key will be how well Juliann Faucette emerges from her sophomore slump.  Since the Nebraska game, Faucette has shown signs of returning to freshman form.  She's been pounding the cover off the ball.  We need her to play like Freshman Juliann this weekend.  Jen Doris has been absolutely crushing the ball lately.  Her hitting efficiency is rivaling Pao's.  Having a 2nd middle blocker with the efficiency of Pao will be lethal.  And since Jen is the 3rd option behind Engle & Hooker, if she does well the opposing team's blockers are going to have a devil of a time controlling our hitters.

I believe UCLA will prove to be the biggest challenge this weekend.  UCLA has a veteran setter that will try to exploit one on one matchups with her hitters versus our blockers.  They play very strong defense, so they can frustrate teams like Texas that want to terminate immediately and play in a fast rhythm.  I expect this one to go 4 if not 5. If we sweep, it'll mean our passing is lights out.  Expect both UCLA and Oregon to serve very aggressively.

In the regional final, I expect TV-HD (Ms. Hooker, if you're nasty) to absolutely take over.  In front of a home crowd and on national TV, I expect her to dominate.  Iowa State could pull off the upset Friday as they are defensively as strong as UCLA.  They make teams work very hard to get points.  I don't know much about Oregon other than the fact they have some foreign players and they are very streaky.  They kind of sound like Kansas State.

Hope to see some BONers at Gregory this weekend.

All comments, FanPosts, and FanShots are the views of the reader-authors who create them.

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or in a 60 mile radius!!!

I filled up the tank for $26 last night, so no excuses not to drive in for some excellent volleyball.

by TempestHorn on Dec 11, 2008 11:47 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

First timers?

Any suggestions for first time volleyball spectators? Tickets, parking, etc. Is the gym usually packed?

by UTexasCPA on Dec 11, 2008 12:16 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

First Timer Advice

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!”

by TempestHorn on Dec 11, 2008 12:39 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Bomb Diggity

Sounds fun, let’s do this.

by UTexasCPA on Dec 11, 2008 12:54 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

How high are PHF's expectations?

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?

Still a Blaine Irby fan

by patienthornsfan on Dec 11, 2008 2:58 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I put up a Fanshot this a.m. trying to find out what's new with the Gazelles.

(Fanshot = I didn’t want BZ to get upset with me for a misplaced post.) Thanks, Tempest. It’s a shame the students can’t get in on their blanket tax, etc., but it makes sense as this is a NCAA event.

I'll never forget ol' what's-his-name.

by Horntod on Dec 11, 2008 3:02 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Tickets

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

by UTexasCPA on Dec 11, 2008 3:28 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Got Mine

Thanks for the reminder. Just bought tickets for the wife and me.

Hook ’em!

by BurntO on Dec 11, 2008 3:37 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

meh...

i have two finals on both game days… :<

by justfr1day on Dec 11, 2008 11:49 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

All-Americans announced for Central Region

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.

Still a Blaine Irby fan

by patienthornsfan on Dec 12, 2008 3:12 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Interesting tidbit

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.

Still a Blaine Irby fan

by patienthornsfan on Dec 12, 2008 3:57 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Our road to the Final Four just got easier

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.

Still a Blaine Irby fan

by patienthornsfan on Dec 12, 2008 6:38 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Omaha, not Lincoln.

Still a Blaine Irby fan

by patienthornsfan on Dec 13, 2008 9:17 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I just walked by a caravan of UCLA Band Nerds

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.

by boommotherfcker on Dec 12, 2008 7:18 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

and DOWN IN FLAMES....

….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.

by TempestHorn on Dec 12, 2008 10:09 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Pao led the team in kills

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.

Still a Blaine Irby fan

by patienthornsfan on Dec 13, 2008 12:59 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

TICKETS FOR TODAY

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

www.texasboxoffice.com

by TempestHorn on Dec 13, 2008 8:29 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Floor Tickets

I’ve got two Section 10 floor seats on the fence if anybody wants them for $10 face. Bought the package so I could go last night but unable to attend this evening (sorry if this violates rules – I’m not trying to profiteer). Is there anyway we can get a last minute BON ticket exchange going on here?

by UTexasCPA on Dec 13, 2008 10:50 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

JK

Ball and chain changed her mind.

by UTexasCPA on Dec 13, 2008 11:12 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

which proves a point...

if you take your chick (or your ball and chain) they’ll dig it too.

by TempestHorn on Dec 13, 2008 11:51 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Texas is in!

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.

Still a Blaine Irby fan

by patienthornsfan on Dec 13, 2008 9:21 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Fanpost

Somebody got to post a fanpost! :-) Nobody read comments of old posts …

Paolini was named player of the regional games, with Hooker and a third player being recognized.

In Mack Brown We Trust!

by Cyrus on Dec 13, 2008 10:00 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I would assume the 3rd player is Ashley Engle, but maybe Michelle got recognition for her solid performance at Setter?

Still a Blaine Irby fan

by patienthornsfan on Dec 13, 2008 10:06 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Not Engle

It was a Freshman player or someone who didn’t play last year. The setter sounds right, other player were very excited when her name was announced.

In Mack Brown We Trust!

by Cyrus on Dec 13, 2008 10:51 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

It was Michelle Kocher

She also made the regional team.

by TempestHorn on Dec 13, 2008 10:55 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

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