Burnt Orange Nation, a Texas Longhorns community

"OMAHA, Neb. — Big 12 Player of the Year Destinee Hooker hammered 23 kills and second-ranked Texas continued its domination over Texas A&M with a three-set sweep in the NCAA Omaha Regional. The Longhorns (27-1) needed just 90 minutes to win 25-18, 25-18, 25-21 and advance to today’s final against Iowa State or Nebraska. Texas has won 12 consecutive matches and 14 sets in a row against the Aggies
(20-11)."

"When the Longhorns review this victory on film and on paper, they will inevitably see all the areas they can improve -- better passing, better blocking, better balance." This is from an article about the victory over OSU right? Nope. It's from the Gazelles' sweep of the Huskers. The trajectory of these two teams' season is so similar you can almost get a two-for-one- deal on writing articles about them. Next up for the Gazelles: Iowa State, the last serious challenge to an undefeated season. The Cyclones are two games back of the Horns, so they don't pose a major threat to winning the Big XII Championship, but Ames is a notoriously difficult place to play with extremely rabid fans. Oh, and another footnote: Destinee was awarded Big XII Offensive Player of the Week this week - the fourth time she's won the award just this season. She is a shoe-in to win the conference player of the year, and has to be co-favorite for the national award with PSU's Megan Hodge.

PHF's fave Gazelle is named the Female Athlete of the Year. Unfortunately the article is not just an homage to her sublime talent - we're also subjected to an athlete from that cultural wasteland north of the Red River. I guess you always gotta have the sour with the sweet.

She's a Gregory Gazelle first and foremost, but she's also the best in the country at the high jump. Let's hope she helps the Gazelles win a National Championship in volleyball this fall.