Today in Morgantown, Texas scored another conference road win in three bringing their record against West Virginia to 13-0. The Longhorns and Mountaineers faced off following wins by both teams against Baylor and Kansas State, respectively.
The Mountaineers appeared ready for the top ranked Longhorn squad coming to their house with a quick 6-3 lead over Texas in the first set, blocking well against their somewhat sleepy foe’s powerful offense. The Longhorns didn’t let them run away with the score, getting themselves back in control of the game and tying it up 11-11.
It was freshman middle blocker Logan Eggleston (Brentwood, Tennessee), that finally grabbed Texas’ first lead of the day with a kill (16-15), followed by another kill and block to establish their biggest lead of the set (18-15). The Tennessean didn’t stop there, grabbing an ace to give her team their 21st point, followed by her teammates, freshman middle blocker Brionne Butler (Kendleton) and the veteran and senior outside hitter Micaya White (Frisco), coming in with the one-two punch to seal the set with the final two points (25-18).
Although Texas jumped out to a quick lead (4-1) in the second set, the Mountaineers fought their way back to tie it up (5-5). Asserting their power, the Longhorns made a five point run to go up 10-5 and the team’s overall advantage continued to show as they separated from the Mountaineers (16-8). Butler, working the net both offensively and defensively, took Texas up 21-11. A quick second set for a Texas (25-15).
Noting the Mountaineers had one final chance to slow the Longhorns, they took a quick 6-3 lead. While their momentum didn’t stop there, with another three point run (11-7), it was abruptly stopped with Texas’ 2018 Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year, White, killing the ball for Texas which resulted in a needed Texas run to tie it up (11-11). West Virginia, challenging a possible Texas net violation, took Texas back (10-12). With another timely kill from the 2018 Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year, Eggleston, Texas finally took the lead 17-16 over WVU.
Sophomore setter, Ashley Shook (35 assists), from Plainfield, Illinois, and freshman libero, Sydney Petersen (13 digs) from Dyke, Iowa, continued their team’s quiet, hard and consistent work. Providing the team’s fifth ace of the game, Shook (2 for the match) put Texas up (20-16) which was part of an eight point run to near the finish line (22-17). Senior middle blocker and 2018 Preseason All-Big 12 selection, Morgan Johnson (Desoto), delivered match point followed by a Butler kill to win the third set (25-19).
The Longhorns will travel to Fort Worth on Wednesday to face the Horned Frogs. (8PM)
