TEXAS VOLLEYBALL – ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR

 

The Texas volleyball team began its playoff journey at the conclusion of the regular season on November 23, using a No. 3 seed and matches at home in all of the first four rounds to its advantage the Longhorns advanced to the Final Four and beat Michigan in the NCAA Semifinals to advance to the NCAA National Championship game on December 15. Horns Illustrated presents a collection of photos that highlight the Longhorns’ run to final four.

 

Texas clinched the Big 12 title outright on Nov. 14 with a sweep of Texas Tech. The Longhorns finished the regular season with a 15-1 record in conference play and a 24-4 overall record. On Nov. 25 the NCAA named Texas the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament Bracket and put Texas on their home court for the first and second rounds of the Tournament.

First Round vs. Colgate

In the opening round of the Tournament Texas swept Colgate 3-0 (25-4, 25-11, 25-15). When the Horns held the Raiders to just four points in the first game they set a record for fewest points allowed allowed in UT history in a non-fifth set since the start of rally scoring in 2001.

In the match the Horns hit for a .543 hitting percentage. Bailey Webster (15 kills, .619 hitting), Khat Bell (12 kills, .647) and Sha’Dare McNeal (8 kills, .647 hitting) led the team in hitting, while setter Hannah Allison had 41 assist and three aces.

Bailey Webster

Haley Eckerman

Second Round vs. Texas A&M

In the second round of Tournament the volleyball team became…

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the first team to renew the rivalry versus Texas A&M since A&M left the Big 12 conference to join the SEC. The Longhorns won 3-1 (25-16, 19-25, 25-19, 25-18).

Libero Sarah Palmer passes as a ball as Bailey Webster looks on.

Khat Bell hits a ball versus A&M.

Molly McCage and Haley Eckerman (left) celebrate a Longhorn point.

Third Round vs. Florida

In the Regional Round of the Tournament Texas again played host. In the Regional Semifinal the Horns swept No. 14 seed Florida (25-22, 26-24, 25-17) to advance to the Regional Final.

Sha’Dare McNeal swings against Florida.

Setter Hannah Allison sets as the Gator blockers look on.

AIR TIME: Bailey Webster hits the ball over Florida’s blockers.

rom Left: Sarah Palmer, Haley Eckerman, Molly McCage and Hannah Allison standing ready to receive a Florida serve.

Haley Eckerman hitting volleball past Florida blockers.

 

Regional Final vs. USC

Dec. 8, 2012

In the Regional Final Texas swept No. 6 seed USC 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-14) to advance to the NCAA Final Four in Louisville Kentucky.

Master Passer: Sarah Palmer passes a ball versus USC.

Haley Eckerman

 

Final Four

Texas Volleyball came back from down 2-1 to beat Michigan 3-2 (25-11, 21-25, 23-25, 25-12, 15-11) in the National Semi-Final.

 

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