In its first-ever matchup at the Moody Center, No. 2 Texas volleyball took down No. 6 Stanford in a five-set thriller, winning 3-2.
Playing in an arena that normally hosts Texas basketball and concerts, the team was excited to embrace a new environment.
“There (were) the moments where you kind of just have to pinch yourself, because this is what you dream of doing,” junior setter Ella Swindle said.
With 10,899 fans in the stands, the energy swung drastically throughout the matchup. However, the crowd ultimately sustained the Longhorns through all five sets.
“There’s a lot of history in this place, and we got to play in front of our friends and like all the other students at Texas,” Swindle said. “So I think it was just really special for us to have that be here.”
Several playmakers contributed to Texas’ efforts, but junior outside hitter Torrey Stafford and freshman outside hitter Cari Spears led the Longhorns’ offensive charge in their home opener. Stafford tallied 18, while Spears added 14.
Stafford’s abilities shone most prominently in the fifth set, when a series of kills helped the Longhorns climb back from a 10-5 deficit with a 6-0 run.
“Torrey knows how to win,” head coach Jerritt Elliott said. “That’s why she’s here. She’s a winner. We love having her on our team, and she’s shown that every single day in practice, and she’s been a great role model for our team.”
Texas faced three match points late in the set, but survived, ultimately securing the victory off an attack error by Stanford’s senior outside hitter Elia Rubin.
The Longhorns opened the first set with a decisive 25-15 victory, and edged out the Cardinal 25-23 in the second; however, they seemingly dwindled in strength throughout the next three sets.
Stanford kept it tight, rallying around aggressive performances by Rubin and redshirt sophomore outside hitter Ipar Kurt, who each totaled six kills in the second set.
Stanford’s offensive momentum found in the second set carried over to the next two sets, which were both won by the Cardinal.
“We lacked a lot of confidence in games three and four, and as that match got closer and closer, I think when you have great competitors and great athletes, I think they’re able to block all that out,” Elliott said.
The Longhorns look to carry the energy from this game into their matchup against the No. 3 Louisville Cardinals on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
