As #5 Texas Volleyball moved into the AVCA Top 5 this week, #20 Baylor gave the Longhorns a five-set challenge on Thursday followed by a slow start in the second match on Friday. Ultimately finding their rhythm for another solid victory over the Bears, Texas’ two wins increased their record over Baylor at home to 50-0, and their 11th straight Big 12 Conference win this season.
The reigning National Champions have not lost a match since September 15 and continue to show perseverance as a team continuously refining and sometimes struggling to find their synergy. Outside hitter Madisen Skinner has led the Longhorns on the offensive side of the ball but when Jenna Wenaas (OH) delivers and the trifecta of Asjia O’Neal (MB), Molly Phillips (OPP) and Bella Bergmark (MB) have the opportunity to produce, they are lethal against their opponents. This trio is also the reason Texas leads the Big 12 Conference in blocks. But the programs Conference success would not be possible without freshman setter, Ella Swindle, who stepped into the quarterback position and has methodically learned her player’s needs, strengths and weaknesses while also contributing to kill counts and the defensive side of the court.
In Thursday night’s battle, the Longhorns clawed their way back to victory, with an overall hitting efficiency of 0.276. Twenty-four hours later in Friday’s first set (27-25) their offense was almost nonexistent at 0.105 albeit more efficient than Baylor’s 0.068. Texas adjusted to improve their offense to nearly identical levels from the first match (0.275), due to power-driven sets 2 and 3 at 0.364 and 0.387, respectively. The Longhorns will be back on the road in Morgantown playing West Virginia next Thursday and Friday, followed by a match in Manhattan, Kansas, versus the Wildcats.
