After losing in the national championship game a season ago, Texas volleyball has revenge on their minds. The Longhorns took down Sacred Heart and Rice in sweeps during the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament.
That set up a Sweet 16 match up against No. 15 Washington.
The Huskies came out of the gates on fire. They took a commanding lead in the first set with an 11-0 run to go up 16-7. Washington would not look back and closed the first set 25-19.
Texas looked to have regrouped in the second set, jumping out to a 5-1 lead but Washington stormed back into it. A 6-1 run in the middle of the set helped Washington take set two. Jerritt Elliot’s squad had no answer for what Washington was doing early.
Just one set from elimination, Texas and Gregory gym woke up.
Set number three went back and forth before Texas grabbed all the momentum late, winning 25-22. The crowd erupted as Texas broke a 19-19 tie. Washington would not have another lead for the rest of the night.
TEXAS FIGHT!
Horns ⬆️ 2️⃣2️⃣-2️⃣1️⃣! #HookEm pic.twitter.com/7HD7nWJoCM
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) December 10, 2021
Logan Eggleston and Skylar Fields found their rhythm for the Longhorns as Texas dominated set four 25-9.
Entering set five, the crowd was rocking and Texas hit their stride. A few Washington service errors gave Texas the lead early. Up 14-9, a Skylar Fields kill completed the reverse sweep, sending Texas to the Elite Eight.
POINT TEXAS#HookEm pic.twitter.com/l2prMMUfAS
— Texas Volleyball (@TexasVolleyball) December 10, 2021
Texas will look to clinch their spot in the Final Four against No. 10 Nebraska on Saturday night. It is a rematch of last season’s Elite Eight matchup where the Longhorns beat the Huskers in four sets.