Back on top: No. 1 Texas ready for volleyball home opener against No. 4 Minnesota
To begin this week, the Texas Longhorns found themselves looking down on the other 319 Division I volleyball teams.
The Longhorns, after sweeping No. 7 Ohio State in two matches on the road, were voted into the No. 1 spot in the AVCA's Top 25 poll on Monday. Texas was No. 2 in the preseason rankings.
Nebraska, which was No. 1 heading into the season, didn't do anything over the first weekend to lose its top billing. The Cornhuskers swept through their opening matches over unranked Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Tulsa and Pepperdine. On Monday, Nebraska received just one fewer first-place vote than the 24 it garnered in the preseason poll.
Texas, though, made a statement in its 3-0 and 3-1 wins over the Buckeyes. In the preseason poll, Texas received 27 first-place votes; this week, that number swelled to 41, apparently swiping the 13 new first-place votes from Wisconsin and Louisville.
"I didn't know we moved up, so that's exciting," senior middle blocker Asjia O'Neal said Monday.
In Columbus, Texas was paced by setter Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres, who hit .319, and outside hitters Logan Eggleston and Madisen Skinner, both of whom averaged more than 3.5 kills per set. UCLA transfer Zoe Fleck averaged 5.29 digs per set in her first appearances in UT's black libero jersey.
In its season-opening match last Friday, Texas rallied from 8-1 and 12-4 deficits to win the second set. After dropping the opening set on Saturday, the Longhorns trailed only once over the final three sets.
"I think the thing that we did really well was our first-ball side out, our side out game, our first-ball contact was good," Texas coach Jerritt Elliott said. "And then our transition game needs some work.
"Our hitting numbers weren't quite as efficient," he added. "I think if we can shore up some of the setting connections, some of the footwork patterns that we had, and obviously getting our middles a lot more involved in our offense, I think those numbers can come and add a lot more stress to teams."
Texas (2-0) won't get much of a breather. On Wednesday, the Longhorns host No. 4 Minnesota (2-0) and then on Sunday play at No. 12 Stanford.
Last week, opposite hitter Molly Phillips noted that the schedule was put together "on purpose." Elliott said he wanted his team to face some adversity early in the season.
"I really like it and I think it helps us right away understand what our weaknesses are and where we can get better," O'Neal said. "But, I mean, for me personally, I get really fired up right off the bat being able to play big names like that."
Wednesday's match will be the first at Gregory Gym this season. Last season, Texas was No. 4 nationally with an average home attendance of 3,626. The Longhorns were at capacity in six of their last eight home matches in the 4,000-seat venue.
The Texas-Minnesota match is expected to be a sellout. Gregory last hosted a top-five showdown in October 2019 when No. 4 Texas swept No. 1 Baylor.
"Minnesota's super fast to the pins, they're gonna cause some different types of stresses," Elliott said. "(Hugh McCutcheon is) a great coach. And remember, this is the first time 11 players have ever played at Gregory. So there's gonna be lots of excitement and nerves."
The spirit of Elliott's statement is correct. This will be the first home match for the Longhorns' six transfers and five freshmen. Technically, though, three of those newcomers have played at Gregory before.
Last December, Nebraska middle blocker Kayla Caffey and defensive specialist Keonilei Akana were playing for a Cornhuskers team that ousted Texas in the Elite Eight at Gregory Gym. Three years ago, Fleck was a member of a UC Santa Barbara squad that nearly upset Texas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
In front of an announced crowd of 3,767, Fleck had 14 digs and two aces as the Gauchos pushed Texas to five sets. That performance left a lasting impression on Texas, which unsuccessfully recruited her that offseason. (Fleck instead transferred to UCLA and spent the last two years with the Bruins).
That match also left a lasting impression on Fleck.
"I remember it being so loud I couldn't think, but it also being the most fun volleyball I'd ever played," Fleck said. "It was really the reason I transferred (to Texas) instead of quit, was because this reminded me of my love for volleyball. I'm very, very excited to get back to playing in here."
Wednesday's match
No. 4 Minnesota at No. 1 Texas, 7 p.m., LHN
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas volleyball is back at No. 1, set to host No. 4 Minnesota
