No. 7 Texas took on No. 18 Florida in an away matchup on Sunday in their fourth SEC game. The Longhorns triumphed, sweeping the Gators in three sets, extending their win streak to six games and maintaining a perfect record in the SEC.
The Longhorns have caught fire, demonstrating the same dominant play that they displayed most of last season on the way to a national championship. Ever since splitting the first six games of the season, Texas has been unstoppable, entering the SEC in extraordinary fashion. The team currently tops the conference rankings at 4-0 in SEC play with an overall record of 9-3.
Sunday’s match marked Texas’ fifth this season against a ranked opponent and its third win. The name of Sunday’s game was defense for the Longhorns, earning themselves 13 total blocks at the net, ten of which originated from redshirt sophomore Marianna Singletary. All-around defense was impressive for Texas, recording 33 total digs and holding Florida to a hitting percentage of 0.146.
Texas started off slow, falling behind 21-14 in the first set, but quickly upped the tempo by going on an 11-2 run and rallying to win 25-23. Senior Madisen Skinner led the team in kills once more.
The next two sets saw further impressive performances from Texas. The Longhorns easily won the second set, while the third set began as a back and forth contest. The match was tied at 10 when the Longhorns once again went on an impressive 10-1 run and sealed the third set and the game.
The team’s impressive play was rounded out by juniors Devin Kahahawai, with eight kills and six blocks, and Averi Carlson, with 13 assists and three service aces.
With big wins coming against South Carolina, LSU and Lone Star rival Texas A&M, the Longhorns have been cruising through conference play. The sweep against Florida also marks their sixth sweep of the season.
As Skinner continues to find the fire that lit the team’s offense last season, she has increasingly shown signs of her full capabilities as the season progresses. In order to keep this streak alive Texas must travel to Skinner’s old stomping ground when they face Kentucky in another away match. The game will take place next Sunday at 12 p.m. CST on ESPN.
