No. 2 Texas Longhorns team hosted and swept another in-state rival in Friday’s win over the No. 21 Baylor Bears at Gregory Gym. The Longhorns extend their winning streak to 8-0 and have defeated seven ranked teams with the conclusion of the non-conference schedule. Texas has now swept three straight top-25 opponents as the Horns pushed their home record against the Bears to 51-0.
In the first set, Longhorns and the Bears came out battling neck to
neck at 5-5. Shortly, Texas began to lean on Baylor to pull away with the aid of the trio of true freshman — outside hitters Cari Spears and Abby Vander Wal with middle blocker Taylor Harvey at the net. The Bears showed a bit of resiliency, but the dynamic Longhorns steadily pulled the first set, 25-18.
In the second set, Texas came out hot on a 6-0 run and did not let off the gas taking on a 17-4 lead. The Bears made some adjustments as the second set played out, but the Longhorns offensive prowess became too much in a decisive second set that ended 25-12.
Texas took the third set 25-13 after jumping into the lead with Spears at the helm, who eventually recorded 18 kills to tie her career high as she hit a phenomenal .654, one service ace, and three blocks on the night. Junior setter Ella Swindle lent a hand with a career-high three service aces while tossing 31 assists.
Texas held Baylor to a season low of 28 kills and a hit percentage of .134 through the evening as the Longhorns were spectacular offensively, hitting .435 overall thanks to only eight attacking errors over three sets and adding an 8-0 advantage in aces. In the third set, Texas notched 15 kills and only a single error in attack.
Texas begins conference play on the Forty Acres hosting Vanderbilt on September 24 at 8 p.m. Central, broadcasting on the SEC Network.
