Gregory Gym filled with fans Thursday night as the Texas women’s volleyball team once again took to the court to face off against opponent Indiana University. The defending national champions dominated, sweeping the Hoosiers and winning the match 3-0.
Before the first serve, the night began with celebration as the 2023 National Championship banner was revealed and the starting lineup was announced. As the team fondly remembered the 2023 season, the 2024 season officially began.
“It felt really nice to be back at home, feels like it’s been awhile since we played (at Gregory),” said junior Libero Emma Halter. “It was exciting, (it) seems like everyone was super into it tonight.”
Texas returns five starters from its championship season including standout senior outside hitter Madisen Skinner. Skinner, who was named VolleyballMag.com 2023 National Player of the Year, begins her final season with Texas volleyball. The beloved player heard the loudest of the applause as the match began and she in turn gave her fans another Longhorn victory.
Texas saw ups and downs as the match carried on. The team carried the first set 25-8 with ease, but the second set was a bit more of a challenge for the national champions. Fighting its way back from a six-point deficit, Texas eventually tied the set 20-20. Five points later, Texas took its second set 25-21, despite a bit of messy play.
“I think we really trust each other … (and) I think we’re able to really look to each other and trust that we’re gonna pass the next ball,” said redshirt sophomore middle back Marianna Singletary. “I know Emma’s got it, I know Averi (Carlson) or Ella (Swindle) is going to put up a good set and we’re gonna take care of the ball. I think there’s just a lot of trust there in our capabilities.”
Going into the third set, Texas held the advantage, maintaining the momentum and energy, in part due to an uproarious crowd. As the phrase “We Are Texas” continually rang down from the stands, so did the kills on the court. At the end of the match, Texas finished with 40 total kills, led by Skinner with 14; Indiana finished the match with 22 total kills. Once again completing a slight comeback, Texas took the set and the match 3-0, winning their first of the year at home.
Standouts for the Longhorns included the usual suspects: Skinner led the Longhorns in kills, while Singletary led in assisted blocks with four. Carlson led the team in assists with 19, with Halter leading in service aces with four.
Texas welcomes this win after taking its opening game of the season against No. 3 Wisconsin on Sunday, but soon after falling to No. 18 Minnesota on Monday. The unexpected loss to the Gophers was a close match that went to five sets with the Longhorns eventually losing 2-3.
“We had plenty of opportunities to execute and score points, but (Minnesota) put the pressure on us,” said head coach Jerritt Elliott. “They were able to teach us some things, we got one practice in, thought some of the tempos that we changed were better and (had) a good little turn around for us.”
Texas will look to continue their winning streak on Saturday when they take on the Miami Hurricanes at home. Miami is currently 3-0, but have yet to face a ranked opponent. The game will once again take place at Gregory Gym at 4 p.m.
