The Longhorns just keep rolling. They won their third-straight match in a three set sweep, beating Kansas State (25-17, 25-15, 25-20) on Saturday in Manhattan, Kan.
No. 10 Texas (12-4) had its most impressive and statistically efficient attacking day of the season, hitting .463 as a team. That hitting percentage made all the difference in the game, as the Wildcats (14-6) only hit .177. A .300 percentage point difference will almost always equal a win for the team on top of that equation.
Sophomore outside hitter Bailey Webster led the team’s attack with a career high .778 attacking percentage on her 15 kills. Freshman Haley Eckerman also enjoyed a double figure attacking day, adding 12 kills to the Longhorns totals and personally hitting .310.
The Longhorns’ pair of middle blockers, freshman Khat Bell and senior All-American Rachael Adams, had a strong showing on the court, posting nine kills each.
Junior Sha’Dare McNeal continued to make a huge impact in the Longhorns lineup after returning from an injury sustained in the Oklahoma game two weeks ago, contributing five kills from five swings.
The Longhorns great attacking resulted from crisp ball movement and setter Hannah Allison’s passing, who had 42 assists.
The Wildcats played the Longhorns close early on in the first set, until the Longhorns went on a 5-1 run in the middle of the game to take a 18-13 lead. The Longhorns mostly traded points with the Wildcats but took the set 25-17.In the second set, Texas had a hot start, jumping out to a 16-8 lead and eventually taking the game 25-15.
The third set was much of the same for the Longhorns, although Kansas State played them a little closer throughout. But Texas continued its roll to finish off the Wildcats 25-20.
In the win, the Longhorns also had a very good game on the defensive side of the net. Libero Sydney Yogi had 12 digs, contributing to the team’s high total of 38.
Texas had an excellent game, earning 61 out of their 75 points from kills, aces or blocks. Only 16 points came from unforced errors of Kansas State.
Texas has not dropped a set in its last 10 opportunities, and the Longhorns will look to continue that trend when they play Baylor on Wednesday.
Printed on Monday, October 17, 2011 as: Webster, Eckerman lead Horns to third consecutive sweep
