A successful road trip for No. 4 Texas saw the Longhorns go into Morgantown, West Virginia and take both games against the Mountaineers in sweeping fashion, continuing their all-time unbeaten streak against West Virginia and notching their 24th win.
Texas had a perfect slate of matches, winning all six sets played against West Virginia. The Mountaineers found themselves in the lead and closely contested sets in the first match, but Texas ultimately pushed past them. In the second match, Texas never found themselves in trouble, easily winning each set. Texas continues their perfect march through conference play, improving to 13-0 in the Big 12 and 18-3 overall.
In Thursday’s match, Texas won in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-19. Texas found themselves down early in the first, but a huge 14-4 run put them in the lead and got the set win. The second set went back and forth in a closely contested contest with both teams tied at 15, but just as in the first set, Texas used a 6-1 run to establish themselves and win the set. The Longhorns used a substantial early lead in the third set to cruise to the sweep.
In Friday’s match, West Virginia kept it a very tight first set, not letting the Longhorns lead by more than three until late in the set. The Mountaineers kept it close, nearly forcing extra points, but the Longhorns prevailed 25-23. Texas didn’t face the same amount of pressure the rest of the way, completing the sweep in straight sets, winning each 25-17.
Texas hit over .330 in both matches and found tremendous success at the service line, totaling nine service aces on Thursday and seven on Friday. The Longhorns used big performances from senior Molly Phillips, freshman Ella Swindle and junior Madison Skinner.
Phillips led the way for Texas in Thursday’s match, grabbing nine kills at a .818 hitting percentage. She played a huge role in Texas’ second-best team hitting percentage on the season at .359, only behind their early season matchup against Florida Gulf Coast.
Swindle continued her stellar freshman year, totaling 57 assists, nine digs, six kills, four blocks and three service aces. Primary outside hitter Skinner also filled the box score over the match series with her cumulative 23 kills, eight digs, three blocks and a service ace.
With only five matches left before the NCAA tournament, the Longhorns are ranked the highest they’ve been all season since suffering the huge upset loss to unranked Long Beach State in their season opener. No. 4 Texas’ current 13-0 win streak in conference play continues to build momentum and establish winning ways as they inch closer to the postseason.
Texas continues their stretch on the road headed to Kansas to take on Kansas State. The Longhorns will look to continue their perfect Big 12 record on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
