Horns Squash Frogs In Volleyball Home Opener
It took all of 68 minutes for the No. 3 ranked Texas Longhorns volleyball team to dispense with the TCU Horned Frogs Friday night in the home opener at Gregory Gym.
A rabid crowd of 2,895 fans — including 1,150 students — watched as the Longhorns made quick work of the smaller, decidedly outmatched TCU squad.
Senior outside hitter Juliann Faucette led the way with 10 kills and a career-high seven aces, including four consecutive early in the third game.
“There were nerves all around to start,” Faucette said after the match. “I just got into a rhythm back there serving.”
The Horns jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the first game then snoozed while the Frogs hopped back to make it 17-15. Texas came to and went on a 8-3 run to close out the first game and reassert itself.
Texas again sped to an early 8-2 lead in the second game before letting the Frogs come within two at 10-8. That’s as close as the Frogs would get.
Texas capitalized on a missed TCU serve to go on an 8-0 run. The Horns won the third set 25-12.
All night, behind a quietly efficient setting performance from freshman Hannah Allison, the Horns kept the Frogs out of system. Allison, who had 32 assists in the match, confounded the Horned Frog middle blockers, setting up several one-on-one opportunities for the Longhorn hitters.
“She’s special,” head coach Jerritt Elliott said of Allison. “She’s so athletic, she just glides across the floor. I’ve rarely had a player grow so quickly.”
While TCU scrambled, Texas attacked. Sophomore Sha’Dare McNeal converted 16 attempts into 10 kills for a lethal hitting percentage of .562. Junior Amber Roberson had 11 kills on 28 attempts.
The team also won the blocking game, registering eight to the Horned Frogs’ one.
On the whole, Elliott said he was happy with the team’s performance.
“Overall, for the first night, I’m very pleased,” Elliott said.
The Horns play a double-header Saturday against McNeese State and the University of Houston.
Photo by Jim Sigmon/UT Sports Photography
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