No. 1 Texas Volleyball Splits Top 20 Matches in Opening Weekend

This weekend’s State Farm Women’s Volleyball Showcase in Milwaukee was a mixed bag for the back-to-back National Champions, Texas Volleyball. Their season opener versus #3 Wisconsin left viewers optimistic about their run at a third consecutive title this season, followed by a less organized team versus #18 Minnesota who defeated the Longhorns in five sets.

On #3 Wisconsin’s home turf in an arena filled with loud fans drenched in red, the Longhorns and Badger programs were in a fierce battle during the first two sets, tying it up and setting the stage for an anticipated tough five set match.  However, in the third and fourth sets, Texas began to dominate and won the third (25-15) and fourth (25-11) sets decisively.

The Longhorns earned a total 60 kills versus the Badgers 51, with an offensive efficiency of .265 and .153, respectively.  Led by outside hitters Jenna Wenaas (18) and Madisen Skinner (15), opposite hitter Reagan Rutherford (14), and middle blocker, Marianna Singletary (9), the offense seemed to provide more balance than Texas enjoyed last season.  Libero Emma Halter, an integral defender of the court, contributed 28 digs and Singletary eight blocks.  A team high seven aces was led by Skinner (3), and setters Ella Swindle and Baylor transfer, Averi Carlson, quarterbacked an effective offense.

On Monday, Texas couldn’t find their chemistry against the Gophers and after taking the first set (25 -22), they lost the second (25-19) and third (25-20).  Plagued with errors and sloppy play, the #1 team lacked the cohesion of their opening debut.  In the fourth set, the Longhorns regained command with improved defensive play at the net and an offensive efficiency of .290 – in stark contrast to their match average of .183.  The momentum quickly faded in the final set with Minnesota topping Texas 15-7. 

The first two matches left unanswered questions including variability with the setter position after true freshman Ella Swindle led the team to the 2023 Title. While likely part of a larger experiment to determine the best starting six with Longhorn veterans and recent transfers, the position is central to offensive effectiveness and its unpredictability is a factor.  Conversely, Wenaas – who at times was inconsistent last season – was an integral playmaker for Texas in the first weekend.  The senior was rewarded for her contributions when selected SEC Player of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week, alongside the Longhorn’s steadfast, Halter, who earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week.  

Next the reigning champs will return to the Forty Acres for a three-match stretch versus Indiana (Thursday), Miami (Saturday) and Houston (Wednesday), before they return to the road against #5 Stanford in California on September 15.