Volleyball: Longhorns drop first match in Ames

For the first time in 27 matches, Texas has lost a regular season contest.

In its final match of a tough three-game stretch, the Longhorns weren’t able to pull it out as they fell 2-3 to Iowa State in Ames, Iowa.

“A lot of goals can still be accomplished with one loss, or even two or three down the road,” said coach Jerritt Elliott.

Despite putting up four separate career highs ­­­— seniors Destinee Hooker (27 kills), Ashley Engle (54 assists), sophomore Rachael Adams (12 kills), and Sydney Yogi (16 digs) — and three double-doubles (Hooker, junior Juliann Faucette, Engle), Texas’ .189 hitting percentage was its worst of the season.

When Texas dropped only its second set in Big 12 play, and fifth overall of the season, in the second frame, it became evident that this was going to be a slugfest.

Even though it faced an early disadvantage in a close opening set against Iowa State (20-3, 12-2 Big 12), Texas appeared to be on pace for its usual three-set sweep after the first stanza.

The Longhorns (18-1, 13-1) took an early lead in the second set, but ISU was able to knot the score up at 15, and from there it wouldn’t relinquish the lead.

The match appeared to be slipping away from Texas in the third frame when Iowa State took a quick 17-7 lead in a set that eventually ended, 25-15.

In the fourth set, however, Texas appeared to regain its confidence. Behind three kills and a solo block from Hooker’s kill/block double-double, Texas jumped to an early 11-5 lead.

Hooker’s 11th kill of the set brought about set-point, and a double block courtesy of juniors Jennifer Doris and Faucette closed the set and forced a winner-take-all fifth set.

It looked like Texas would be able to take the set when it jumped to a 9-6 lead.

“I thought we played in the first set, the fourth set, and the start of the fifth set, but Iowa State’s a good team,” Elliott said.

The Cyclones would prove just how good they are when they went on a 9-2 run to end the set and Texas’ dream of a perfect season.
 

Comments

1 comments

Bill in Sinton

Thu Nov 5 2009 09:54

Way to Fight Lady Horns! I know we aren't happy after a loss but this one can be a positive reminder to stay focused to our football team. Also it takes the pressure off the Horns in volleyball and we can now have our minds on winning the rest of the games and the NC. We can let this one be a positive wake up call and move on.

GO HORNS! HOOK' 'EM!

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