UT Volleyball faces Judgment Week

We really need her to play to win these 3 crucial matches. Michelle will be our next great setter, but Ashley is the piece of the puzzle that gets us the National Championship this year.

(which is like 6 years)

we are going all the way, no doubt

The Gazelles continue to dominate at the net, out-blocking the Aggies 10-5 and sweeping them 25-18, 25-14, 25-20 in front of the biggest crowd to ever watch volleyball in College Station. Ashley was back at Setter and all is right in the world as Texas prepares for the Huskers.

… not just on the football field, but in Gregory Gym as well.

The Gazelles put their undefeated season on the line against the #5 Huskers, who are always a very dangerous team even though this has been a bit of a down year for them. Just like the Cowboys, a win over Texas would make Nebraska’s season. A win for Texas gives them their longest unbeaten streak ever. And locks up the conference crown. Best way to prep for the Game of the Season, Part Two tomorrow.

Have you got anything better to do on a Friday night in Austin?

When asked about the raucous crowds, senior setter Ashley Engle remarked, “The crowd was unreal. That is why we come to Texas. They were so supportive. When you get a kill it’s great, but when the crowd just erupts and you can’t even hear yourself think, it’s the best feeling. I don’t know if it’s the same anywhere else.”

Go. Be loud. And watch the Gazelles make history.

HOT START
Texas is off to the second-best start in UT history … its 17-0 start is the best since 2004 when the Horns began the year with 16 straight wins … the Texas record was set in 1990 when UT opened 26-0. Texas is currently riding a 26-match regular-season winning streak that dates back to Nov. 1, 2008 against Texas A&M … the regular-season streak ties for the longest in program history (1990) … Texas currently owns a 16-match home winning streak at Gregory Gym dating back to Nov. 1, 2008.

UT IN THE BIG 12 STATS
The Longhorns rank atop the Big 12 and rank second in the nation with their .329 team hitting percentage … UT ranks No. 4 in the NCAA in blocking with 3.00 blocks per-set … senior All-America setter Ashley Engle ranks No. 1 in the conference in hitting with a .395 attack mark, while senior All-America outside hitter Destinee Hooker ranks fourth in hitting (.350) and leads the league with 4.70 kills and 5.62 points per-set.

TEXAS No. 1 in NCAA RPI
In the most recent release of the NCAA RPI (Oct. 26), Texas ranks No. 1 … No. 2 Florida State, No. 3 Penn State, No. 4 Illinois and No. 5 Minnesota round out the top five … Big 12 rivals Iowa State and Nebraska rank No. 10 and No. 12, respectively. Texas is 17-0 on the season with nine of its wins coming against ranked opponents … Texas’ season-opening streak of seven wins against ranked opponents was the longest in program history, while the seven straight matches against ranked opponents tied a UT record set in 1995 … the Horns have defeated No. 4 Hawaii, No. 6 Nebraska, No. 10 Iowa State, No. 10 California, No. 15 San Diego, No. 19 Saint Louis, No. 23 Long Beach State, No. 24 Baylor and No. 25 Texas A&M in 2009.

HORNS’ HOUSE
The Longhorns rank fifth nationally in attendance, averaging 3,226 fans per home contest.

Texas swept Nebraska 25-22, 26-24, 25-19 at Gregory last night, marking the first time the Gazelles have ever swept the season series against the Huskers, and setting a new Texas record for consecutive regular season wins. With her sixth double-double of the season, Destinee Hooker may very well have taken the lead in the National Player of the Year race as well. Nice way to start a huge weekend for Horns fans.

Game Recap

Game Recap from Nebraska site