Defending national champion Texas Volleyball to the Final Four after an upset over #2 Stanford 

#5 Texas Volleyball will be the only team advancing to Tampa for the Final Four that was not a number one seed in this year’s NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament.  In an upset over second-ranked Stanford, the defending national champion Longhorns bested the Cardinal 3-1 in the Regional hosted in Palo Alto.  

Outside hitter and Big 12 Player of the Year, Madisen Skinner, was named the Stanford Regional’s Most Outstanding Player.  Following her career-high night over Tennessee with 26 kills, the junior generated another stunning night on the court Saturday accruing 24 kills and hitting 0.342 in the match over the Cardinal.  Asjia O’Neal, who was also named to the Stanford Regional All-Tournament team, delivered 10 kills and five blocks.  Middle blocker Bella Bergman led Texas with seven of 12 blocks – far more the than the Cardinal’s three – contributing to the Longhorns’ defensive domination that limited Stanford to a 0.278 offensive production.  Freshman setter, Ella Swindle, was also selected to the All-Tournament team after snagging 41 assists, 11 digs and one kill.  The Longhorn’s achieved one of their higher hitting efficiency averages of 0.342 for the match – well above their season average of now 0.283.  

In Tampa on Thursday, Texas (26-4) will face #3 Wisconsin (30-3) at 8:30PM.  Following the then #1 Longhorns’ unexpected fall in their season opener to Long Beach State, the Badgers held the AVCA #1 spot until they were defeated by then #2 Nebraska midseason. However, in a late November rematch Wisconsin secured a redemption win over the Cornhuskers.  Unlike Stanford that boasts nine national titles, Wisconsin earned the program’s first in 2021 when they defeated Nebraska 3-2.  Last year, the Badgers lost to Pitt in the NCAA Quarterfinals.