#5 Texas will host Texas A&M tonight in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Tournament at 6PM in Austin. After being seeded second in the Stanford bracket, the Longhorns could have an opportunity to face the Cardinal again down the stretch in a chance for redemption after an earlier season defeat. To proceed to regional play at Stanford, Texas will first need to be successful in rounds one and two versus in-state teams like the Aggies and the winner of Texas State and SMU who will also play today at 4PM in Gregory Gym.
This will be the first time Texas A&M has reached the Tournament in four years. The Aggies have an overall record of 16-12, 8-10 in conference play including an upset over then #4 Florida earlier in the season but the Gators ultimately fell to #20 in AVCA by end of the regular period. The Longhorns are 22-4 and have recently named Big 12 Player of the Year, outside hitter Madisen Skinner, leading their team to what the reigning champions hope is another chance at the crown. Skinner is the team’s fourth consecutive named player to the top accolade where she earned 4.64 kills per set and a hitting percentage of 0.317 during Big 12 Conference play across 18 league matches. On the defensive side of the ball, middle blocker Asjia O’Neal holds Texas’ all-time program high blocks with 566 for her career on the Forty Acres.
Texas leads the all-time series over Texas A&M 75-23. Moreover, the Longhorns are 35-0 in first round matches of the Tournament. If they are victorious, they will play the winner of the Texas State-SMU match in the second round on December 1 at 7PM.
