It was tough sledding at first, but for the second time in four years, No. 2 Texas volleyball has started the season undefeated through fourteen games, defeating Alabama 3-1 on Sunday.
Junior outside hitter Torrey Stafford led the way in overcoming the slow start, almost notching another double-double with 17 kills, nine digs and three blocks. Three other Longhorns also scored double-digit kills, including career highs from freshman outside hitter Abby Vander Wal with 13 and sophomore middle blocker Ayden Ames with 11.
Not all slow starts are created equal. Texas has dropped first sets this season, but this one was especially sloppy and arguably the worst Texas set this season. The Longhorns totaled six service errors, seven attack errors and finished with a .000 hitting percentage.
The Crimson Tide took advantage with their defensive agility and aggressive play at the net. Despite also totaling double-digit errors in the set, Alabama was the more poised team throughout the set and won it 25-20.
Throughout the rest of the match, Alabama continued to battle defensively and thwart several Texas attacks, forcing the Longhorns to scratch and claw to keep their undefeated season alive.
But as they have done all season, the Longhorns bounced back. More coordinated with their attacks in the second set, the Longhorns claimed a more characteristic 25-16 win to even the match.
During the third set, it looked for a moment as though Texas might drop another set, as the team fell down 0-4 before being locked in a 20-20 tie. The Longhorns immediately fought back and won the next five points via kills, not through the Tide’s errors, and claimed the set 25-23.
Up for the first time in the match, the Longhorns’ defense shone in the fourth set. They only gave up eight kills and allowed a .097 hitting percentage, and despite five attack errors, rode the momentum to a four-set victory with a 25-18 win.
Texas’ hitting percentage grew after the first set, with various players leading the charge. Stafford scored six kills in the second set, while freshman outside hitter Cari Spears scored five kills, a block assist and two assists in the third set. Vander Wal overcame early struggles to lead the team with five kills in the fourth set.
After their third road SEC match, the Longhorns return home next week with a two-match home stretch as they take on the Arkansas Razorbacks on Oct. 17 and archrival Oklahoma Sooners on Oct. 19.
