Texas Volleyball (13-3) advanced to No. 6 in the AVCA Poll this week and are back on the road playing Texas Christian University (12-7) in Fort Worth tonight. The Longhorns lead the Horned Frogs 23-1 in the series and seemingly have the wind at their back after eight consecutive victories in Big 12 Conference play.
Following the two-match defeat over #22 Houston, outside hitter Madisen Skinner received Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week again for her total 42 kills over the Cougars. Skinner, who has averaged 5.00 kills per set and ranks ninth in the country, has had an offensive efficiency of 0.338 since Conference play started. Defense at the net, led by middle blocker Asjia O’Neal, places Texas third in the nation and leads the Big 12.
TCU ranks fifth in the Conference at 5-3 and 12-7 overall but ranks fourth nationally in blocks just behind Texas. Their prowess defending the net has allowed them to have two matches this season earning more than 20 blocks, the most of any Big 12 Conference team, and have held their opponents to a hitting percentage of 0.162. However, they haven’t faced a rank opponent since preseason in which they were defeated by then #7 Minnesota who Texas dominated followed by top-ranked Wisconsin sweeping the Frogs.
The Longhorns will return home to host #21 Baylor for another double match up next week but first, Texas fans can catch tonight’s match on ESPN 2.
