Facing the Cyclones (11-10) for the second time this season, the #8 Longhorns (12-4) traveled to Ames and beat an Iowa State team that was on a three game win streak. Only days earlier, the Cyclones swept the Kansas Jayhawks who sit only one game behind Texas in the Big 12 and hold the title of only conference team to take down the Longhorns this season.
After a week in which junior outside hitter Micaya White (Frisco) was, for the second time this season, named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, her two freshmen teammates of Brionne Butler (Kendleton) and Logan Eggleston (Brentwood, Tennessee) showed why this young but versatile team holds such promise, leading their team both offensively and defensively.
Middle blocker Butler, whose impact had waned in recent games, led from the start finishing with a total of seven kills and team lead five blocks. Mostly tied up throughout the first set with no team leaping ahead, the Longhorn’s largest lead over the Cyclones wasn’t achieved until 16-13. Demonstrating the strength of the team’s offense when running effectively, the Longhorns took the first set 25-19.
Butler still on top of her game coming out strong in the second set, Texas took a more comfortable lead (6-2). The success was short lived however, as Iowa State made a 6-1 point run to take the lead (8-7) and only a net violation allowed Texas to regain their hold (10-9). With a strategic tip followed by an ace from the 2018 Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year White, Texas widened the gap (18-14). A service error by the Cyclones gave the Longhorns set point in the second with a final score of 25-19.
Up quickly in the third, Texas played strong (7-1) reminding spectators why they are consistently ranked in the top ten nationally. The Longhorns maintained a nice advantage over the Cyclones but Iowa State continued to fight, keeping the set within reach (12-7). A kill from White gave Texas their biggest lead of the match 20-12, bringing the veteran’s reliable contribution to 12 kills for the match – a team high for the night which she shared with 2018 Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year, Eggleston. The Longhorns swept the Cyclones with a third set for the match (25-14).
Texas, who retained their 8th ranked slot in this week’s AVCA Coaches poll, will return to the 40 acres this Saturday to play before a sold out crowd against conference rival the Oklahoma Sooners who were no easy feat for the Longhorns in Norman earlier this month. This will mark the beginning of a four game home stretch that they hope will bode well for their chances in the tournament. Having the second toughest schedule in the nation places them #4 in the RPI, leaving the team still in play as a host site. Game time at Gregory this Saturday is 3PM.
