Texas volleyball, with its first No. 1 seed in three years, began what coach Jerritt Elliott hopes is a three-week journey through the NCAA Tournament Friday with a resounding sweep over Florida A&M Friday at Gregory Gymnasium.
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2024 Fantasy Baseball Breakout
Michael King was always an afterthought. First, going to the Marlins in the 12th round of the 2016 draft out of Boston College. Then, being traded to the Yankees as a throw-in in a deal that was predominantly to acquire international bonus pool money in their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani. Later, as an ascending as a relief pitcher that couldn’t make his way back into the rotation..252
Generally, righty pitchers don’t throw many sweepers to lefty batters because they perform much better against righty hitters.
Batter
Whiff%
.359
Just check out his pitch usage against left-handed batters from May onward.R
That last piece of data intuitively makes sense given King’s adjustments after April. Lefties teed off on him early and couldn’t figure him out afterwards. Also, his sinker was devastating against righties and is one of the most difficult pitches to square-up in the league. This is a cool piece of analysis that’s come from new Bat Tracking data.As one of the best run-suppressors in the league, King was a master at limiting hard contact. After allowing 10 home runs in April alone, he surrendered just seven total the rest of the season. He was in the 99th percentile in exit velocity against, 97th percentile in hard-hit rate against, and had the lowest squared-up rate for any starting pitcher in the league after May 1st.King’s sinker became his second-most thrown pitch against lefties after May 1st and he was using it more regularly as a put-away pitch. He also threw it significantly more often against righties. Here’s Mookie Betts looking silly against one for good measure.Those three pitches along with his changeup allowed him to hit the ground running and pitch his way to a 1.88 ERA as a starter in 2023..293
.321
All of these issues could be traced back to his fastballs not maintaining their same level of effectiveness as the season before. Each were a few ticks slower and their Stuff+ each dropped below 80! That’s so bad it’s past the danger zone and in the “something might be really wrong” zone.32.2
So, what made this move for King possible? And how did he transition so smoothly?
.726
.218
Date
At this point, King had two similarly sized samples across two seasons as a starter: in one, he was lights-out and in the other, he was awful.Rather, King had the gumption to start the bulk of his at-bats against lefties with them. More than trust in one’s stuff, that shows a ton of trust in one’s command.
Date
Role Call
wOBA
wOBA
Lastly, his most thrown pitcher overall to lefties was his changeup – another pitch whose effectiveness is closely tied to command. While that alone was not particularly crazy, King threw that changeup as often when he was behind in the count as he was ahead or had two strikes on a batter. That’s only possibly with pinpoint command and confidence.
| So, King had the stuff to be a starter, excelled there in a short stint, and had that role clearly defined for him once in San Diego. All systems go, right? Right? | So, King had the stuff to be a starter, excelled there in a short stint, and had that role clearly defined for him once in San Diego. All systems go, right? Right? | All in all, he wound up as the 17th most valuable starting pitcher in the league according to FanGraphs’ Player Rater. That was ahead of George Kirby, Aaron Nola, and Luis Castillo. | Obviously, moving from the bullpen to the rotation was the key reason King broke out. In fact, he did it before it was cool – shoutout Seth Lugo for truly blazing the trail – and likely paved the way for Reynaldo López, Jordan Hicks, Clay Holmes, and possibly Jeff Hoffman to do the same. | King and his sinker are not average, though. It has plus-plus movement and he has fantastic command overall. That allowed him to be more creative and daring with that pitch than most other pitchers can afford to be. Look at the differences in where he located it in March and April versus the rest of the season. | |
| After May | Fewer fastballs down the middle is almost always a good thing. King was able to live there in the past when his fastball had more zip. As its stuff waned, his command became more important and helped pull that fastball from the doldrums. | King maintained his starters’ repertoire when he moved to the bullpen. He was one of just 22 relievers who threw a minimum of 50 IP to use four different pitches at least 10% of the time that season. Other current starters Lugo and Nick Martinez were also in that group. | I already told you about the wicked front-hip sinkers against lefties. Possibly more brazen than that, King’s most commonly thrown first pitch to them was his sweeper. The only way he could get away with that was throwing them back-door, and that’s exactly what he did. | With this, he no longer had any holes in his game and ran roughshod through the entire league. |
Again, less pitches right down the middle is great. But more specifically, King began locating that sinker on the lefties’ front hip. Few have the ability to weaponize it in that way and he was able to force some outrageous called strikes doing so..356
King came out on the other side of those tough early months with one of the most audacious gameplans in baseball. He did things from a command perspective that most other pitchers won’t even try, let alone center their game around it.This helped to usher in what would be a dominant summer for him.Overall, the results against King’s fastballs improved dramatically from May through the rest of the season.
Additionally, King wielded two plus fastballs – his four-seamer and sinker. As a reliever in 2023, they had a 104 and 111 Stuff+, respectively. After moving to the rotation, they held true at 109 and 108..300
At the end of the day, his sinker, sweeper, and changeup are all plus pitches and his command is exceptional. That should establish a safe enough floor for him to be at least a low-end SP1 with upside for more..408
SLG
He was one of just 13 starting pitchers who had both an above average four-seamer and sinker by Stuff+. Of course, he only threw 38 1/3 IP as a starter and sat just under five innings per start in that first stint back in the rotation. That allowed him to maintain his velocity from the bullpen and inflate those stuff numbers some. Still, that sinker is ridiculous.
To go along with the sinker, King’s sweeper has always been a true out-pitch. It darts across the zone from King’s low, cross-body release and had the fourth-most horizontal movement in baseball when he moved to the rotation. This thing is a frisbee.SLG
There should also be confidence in his workload with over 170 innings pitched last season and he’ll still pitch his home games in PetCo Park, one of the best pitchers’ parks in the league.
WINGATE, N.C. – Another successful Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball season has come to an end. The Bears fell 3-1 to #3 seeded Anderson in the NCAA DII Tournament second round on Friday, closing their season at 23-8.
Emmaleigh Allen led the team with 13 kills while Emmie Modlin and Alicia Barbarito combined for 38 assists.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Anderson 3, Lenoir-Rhyne 1 (29-27, 20-25, 25-9, 25-18)
Records: Anderson (23-7, 16-4 SAC), Lenoir-Rhyne (23-8, 14-4 SAC)
Location: Wingate, NC | Cuddy Arena
STORY OF THE MATCH:
- Down early on, the Bears went on a late 4-0 run to tie the score at 22 in the first set.
- Lenoir-Rhyne had set point at 26-25, but a 4-1 run from Anderson gave the Trojans the 29-27 set victory.
- Hadley Prince produced back-to-back service aces to help Lenoir-Rhyne win the second set 25-20.
- Anderson dominated the third set 25-9, finishing with a .317 hitting % and just four attack errors.
- Lenoir-Rhyne responded early in the fourth set, jumping ahead 6-3.
- The Trojans did not look back after tying the match at 7, keeping the Bears an arms length away the rest of the set.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Anderson finished with an advantage in kills (59-to-46), hitting % (.276-to-.127), and assists (57-to-43).
- There were a combined 38 block assists and solo blocks between the two teams.
- Kayli Cleaver and Averie Dale combined for 11 total blocks
- Hadley Prince led the team with 19 digs while Addison Vary collected two service aces.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- This was the fourth meeting this season between the Bears and Trojans, with each team winning twice.
- Emmaleigh Allen generated her sixth double-double this season after finishing with 13 kills and 16 digs.
- Kayli Cleaver finished the season as the team leader in kills (363) and kills per set (3.36) for the second straight season.
- The 2025 Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball Team finished with the second highest hitting % in school history at .235, just .05 away from the record held by the the 1998 squad.
- Averie Dale finished with a .399 hitting %, which ties the program’s individual season record held by Michelle Baity in 1999.
- The Bears produced their third straight season with 20 or more wins and set a new program record winning 13 matches at home.
- Nicole Barringer now holds an 87-35 record in four years as the Bears’ head coach.
- Barringer is the first coach in program history to lead the team to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
MADISON, WISC – Carolina volleyball falls to No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers (25-14, 25-21, 25-27) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Tar Heels improved after each set, raising their hitting percentage from .146 to .317. Laynie Smith led the way offensively as she hit .400 with seven kills on only 15 attacks.
Carolina dropped the first set 25-14, but Bridget Malone was the bright spot as she came off the bench and hit above .444 with four kills.
The Tar Heels had a much better second set, putting together an impressive 7-2 run in the middle of the match that brought the score to 17-18. The Tar Heels continued to fight back against the top-ranked Badgers.
The Tar Heels battled back in the third set as the final set was tied 19 times and there were ten lead changes.
Maddy May wrapped up her legendary Tar Heel career tonight. May played in every single set (445) of every single match (118) over her four-year career. May currently sits third all-time in program history with 1622 digs. The senior closed out her time in Chapel Hill on a high note, as she was named Second Team All-ACC for the first time in her career.
Dec. 5, 2025, 7:31 a.m. MT
- Arizona State volleyball swept Coppin State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
- ASU will now face Utah State in the second round for a chance to advance to the Sweet 16.
No. 2 seed Arizona State volleyball completed the first step in the NCAA Tournament, taking care of Coppin State on Thursday, Dec. 4, at Desert Financial Arena with a sweep, 25-11, 25-14, 25-12.
The Sun Devils, ranked eighth in the nation, earned the opportunity to host the first two rounds at home and were all business to start the match. ASU never surrendered a lead against the Eagles and even held them to a negative hitting percentage of -.082 for the night.
TaKenya Stafford led CSU with five kills.
“At the beginning, we talked about going into this game with a lot of energy and that carried over into the game and we could feel it, as well as the fans bringing that to the court as well,” outside hitter Tatum Parrott said.
The Sun Devils have been dominant at home this season, but have struggled with their starts in past games. The key to avoiding the mental lapses came from the service line.
ASU was aggressive with its serving to start the first set, getting a 4-0 advantage in service aces as the Eagles sided out only 36% of the time in that set. ASU also finished both the first and third sets with a 6-0 run.
“I was proud that they came out and did this because we’ve had some lapses this season, especially in the first set and we kind of take our foot off the gas,” coach JJ Van Niel said. “That was my message, everything we’re doing today is preparing us for tomorrow night (second round against Utah State), so we had high efforts today and we’ll have high efforts tomorrow.”
With ASU holding a lead over CSU throughout the match, Van Niel brought in several players who normally don’t see a lot of action. Even with ample rest, star opposite Noemie Glover had a sizable role in ASU’s victory with 14 kills while hitting a blistering .522.
“You never know what will happen. I’ve been in a spot where a key player goes down in the tournament and you got to be ready,” Van Niel said. “I want to get us all in there and get some reps just in case, so you just try a couple of things out and see what happens.”
CSU applied the pressure on ASU midway through the second set and scored two consecutive points to get within three.
But middle blocker Colby Neal responded for ASU with a kill on the next point, and then Parrott blocked CSU’s Ayanna Pharoah for a 16-11 lead.
ASU’s middle blockers were efficient as Neal provided steadiness whenever the Sun Devils would slip up against CSU and finished with five kills on .556 hitting. Ella Lomigora racked up two solo blocks and a team-high six block assists.
The Eagles didn’t go away, as Bailey Miller’s attack error gave them the point, but Neal once again delivered with a kill on the next point for a 17-12 lead for ASU.
Three consecutive errors from CSU gave ASU a 20-12 lead, which then led to the Sun Devils allowing only two more points from the Eagles to win the set.
ASU finished with a relatively clean game with seven errors, while forcing 26 from CSU. However, the second round is going to be much more difficult to get through. Even though there are a few holdovers from last year’s tournament team, the memories of the second-round loss to Texas A&M still linger.
Utah State, the winner of a thrilling five-set match against Tennessee, is a tough matchup. The teams meet in the second round on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. MST at Desert Financial Arena. The winner advances to the Sweet 16.
“I still remember what happened last year,” Van Niel said. “But I don’t think my job is to remind them about it. It’s really (focusing on) we just need to come out and play our game of volleyball and see what happens.
“We can’t control our opponent. Utah State did a great job tonight, and I can’t control how well they play. All we can control is our effort and intensity.”
Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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8:25 pm ET December 5, 2025
When is Purdue volleyball’s next game? Purdue volleyball next game in Sweet 16. Who does Purdue volleyball play next?
Aaron Ferguson
Barring an upset, the Boilers are headed to Pittsburgh, the No. 1 seed in their quadrant. Times for next weekend are to be determined, and Purdue will know its opponent late Saturday night. Florida punched its ticket with a sweep of No. 7-seed Rice in an upset, and the Gators will play either No. 2 SMU or Central Arkansas.
It may set up a potential rematch with SMU, which Purdue beat 3-1 on a neutral court.
8:21 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball highlights vs Baylor
Aaron Ferguson
Limited highlights circulating, but here’s how it looked inside Holloway Gymnasium:
8:18 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball stats vs Baylor
Aaron Ferguson
Purdue’s offense was brilliant all night with a .405 clip and three hitters in double figures: Kenna Wollard, 18-3-34 (.441); Akasha Anderson, 17-4-36 (.361); and Lindsey Miller, 10-1-16 (.562). Taylor Anderson spread it around with 45 assists, adding seven digs, three blocks and a kill.
The Boilers block had a 12-5 edge over Baylor, led by Dior Charles (five) and Miller (four) in the middle. Charles added seven kills. And while Grace Heaney struggled swinging early on the right side, she was key in other areas with four blocks, three service aces and three digs to go with her four kills.
Baylor was held to hitting .250 for the match, and began settling in over the final two sets. It played five against Arkansas State on Thursday night, and struggled against Purdue’s block early, and compounded matters with 11 service errors. Though, Purdue had 13 service errors.
Victoria Davis was key with 13 kills (.458), but Baylor began spreading the attack out and used 13 players to wear down Purdue’s block through the middle part of the match.
8:10 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball score, result vs Baylor in NCAA tournament game today
Aaron Ferguson
Taylor Anderson with a solo block on a joust at the net for the four-set win, 25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20. Impressive resolve in what wasn’t a perfect match for the Boilers to close out their Holloway Gymnasium portion of the schedule.
Purdue advances to the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, and fourth in five. An impressive feat for a team that lost 92.5% of its offensive production.
8:05 pm ET December 5, 2025
Coach Dave Shondell not happy with officiating in Purdue volleyball game
Aaron Ferguson
Coach Dave Shondell effectively yelled a variation of, “What are you doing,” as he challenged a potential touch on the last point. He was probably more upset over what appeared to be a possible carry. He lost the challenge as it goes out, thus making it 19-17 Purdue in the fourth set.
Shondell is out of challenges for the fourth set. He’ll get an extra should it go to a fifth set.
7:58 pm ET December 5, 2025
Score of Purdue volleyball game vs Baylor
Aaron Ferguson
The Bears have spread out their attack to keep Purdue’s block off balance. The Boilers have 10 blocks but none in the fourth set. They led 16-10 but Baylor is on a 4-0 run to force a Dave Shondell timeout.
7:53 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball score vs Baylor in NCAA tournament second round today
Aaron Ferguson
The Boilermakers have three straight points to take a 14-9 lead in the fourth set, leading 2-1. Baylor takes a timeout to try and halt matters. Purdue is hitting .538 in the set as Kenna Wollard (15), Akasha Anderson (15) and Lindsey Miller (10) all have at least 10 kills.
7:44 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball score vs Baylor tonight in NCAA tournament
Aaron Ferguson
Baylor takes the third set, 25-23, and trails Purdue 2-1 after three sets. The Bears hit .371 in the set and are led by Victoria Davis with 12 kills (.524).
Purdue hit .333, its worst of the match so far, in the set, and even with three service aces, it couldn’t overcome passing issues late in the set.
7:31 pm ET December 5, 2025
Baylor scoring run takes set lead against Purdue volleyball
Aaron Ferguson
That’s four straight points for the Bears, forcing Dave Shondell to take a timeout, as overpasses continue to be an issue for Purdue. Baylor challenged that setter Taylor Anderson went over the net and won. It’s 21-20 Bears, needing to keep their season alive in Set 3.
7:22 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball timeout needed as Baylor charges back
Aaron Ferguson
The Boilers take a timeout as their passing has taking a toll on this third set, seeing their lead trimmed to 17-15 after a pair of overpasses.
7:17 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball score vs Baylor tonight in NCAA tournament
Aaron Ferguson
The Boilers win the race to the media timeout, leading 15-10 at the break. They continue their hot hitting in the third set at .438. It’s been Baylor’s best set in efficiency so far at .263 but it also has three service errors.
7:13 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball score vs Baylor tonight in NCAA tournament
Aaron Ferguson
Sienna Foster checks in to serve for the Boilers, who lead 11-8 looking for a sweep in Set 3.
7:00 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball score tonight vs Baylor
Aaron Ferguson
Baylor had a nice 6-1 run to pull within 17-16, but seemingly ran out of steam. The Boilers take a 2-0 lead after a 25-19 edge in Set 2. The Boilers hit .452, and are at .466 for the match. They’re led by an errorless Kenna Wollard with 10 kills (.714). Purdue also has an 8-1 advantage in blocks.
After 70 swings in Thursday night’s five-set win, Baylor’s Ksenia Rakhmanchik has five kills on 19 swings and three errors (.105).
6:51 pm ET December 5, 2025
Baylor run forces Purdue volleyball timeout
Aaron Ferguson
How about three straight points for the Bears after trailing 16-9? Baylor has rolled through substitutions searching for answers and Brielle Warren hitting 2-0-3 with sister Bailey Warren at 6-3-14.
6:46 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball score vs Baylor
Aaron Ferguson
Defense has been the name of this second set. Purdue is out to a 15-7 lead, forcing a second Baylor timeout. The Bears have a sideout percentage of 53.8%. Purdue’s? Boilers are at 91.7%, meaning a lot of one-and-dones for Baylor’s offense, which is hitting .050 in the second set and .130 for the match.
6:39 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball score vs Baylor in NCAA tournament
Aaron Ferguson
After taking the first set, running away with it, Purdue kept running. Its out to a 9-3 lead in the first to force a Baylor timeout. The Bears are hitting minus-.111 with three errors and two kills on nine swings. Purdue is up to .625 to start the set.
6:29 pm ET December 5, 2025
Score of Purdue volleyball game today vs Baylor
Aaron Ferguson
Purdue takes the first set 25-16 after the Bears led 2-1, but then never settled in offensively. Purdue hit .481 and held the Bears to .176 — perhaps the five-setter last night catching up to Baylor. Just one error for the Boilers, who were led by Akasha Anderson’s five and Kenna Wollard’s four. It was a 5-1 blocking set for the Boilers, too.
6:23 pm ET December 5, 2025
Baylor coach has conversation with setter Harley Kreck
Harley Kreck directed an aggressive offense in a five-set win last night, but is getting encouragement from her coach as Baylor takes a timeout, trailing Purdue 19-13 in the first set.
6:20 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball run forces Baylor to take timeout
Aaron Ferguson
The Bears needed a timeout as Purdue scored twice more after the media timeout, a 3-0 run, despite Baylor hitting .409. It does have three service errors, though. It’s 17-12 Purdue.
6:18 pm ET December 5, 2025
Score of Purdue volleyball game vs Baylor in NCAA tournament today
Aaron Ferguson
Purdue wins the race to the media timeout, taking a 15-12 lead. It’s been an errorless set so far for Purdue, 9-0-13 (.692), with Kenna Wollard (three kills) and Lindsey Miller (two) perfect, and Akasha Anderson pacing the match with four kills (.800).
6:10 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball loses challenge in first set
Aaron Ferguson
Dave Shondell’s challenge failed, thus it is 8-5 Baylor and the Boilers have one fewer challenge for the night.
6:09 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball picks it up after slow start against Baylor
Aaron Ferguson
Baylor took an early lead, so early that this match was tied 3-3, and then the Boilers scored five of the next six points to take an 8-4 lead.
Coach Dave Shondell is challenging there was no touch and Baylor’s attack sailed out without help.
6:01 pm ET December 5, 2025
First serve on deck for Purdue volleyball vs Baylor in NCAA tournament
Aaron Ferguson
Starting lineups are wrapping up and the match will be underway in minutes.
5:45 pm ET December 5, 2025
Akasha Anderson comes up in clutch time for Purdue volleyball
Aaron Ferguson
Akasha Anderson transferred most recently from Michigan State, where she spent her lone postseason at home. After arriving in West Lafayette, “Kash” has earned her nickname as she showed Thursday night.
5:15 pm ET December 5, 2025
How Purdue volleyball advanced in NCAA tournament vs Wright State
Aaron Ferguson
The Boilermakers went out to a sweep in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Here’s a look back at how it happened:
5:00 pm ET December 5, 2025
Kenna Wollard leaves lasting impression on Purdue volleyball coach Dave Shondell
Aaron Ferguson
Sitting behind Chloe Chicoine and Eva Hudson, or standing opposite them on the court, was Kenna Wollard. An AVCA player of the year semifinalist, she has clearly restored hope into coach Dave Shondell as he was emotional in talking about her earlier this season.
4:45 pm ET December 5, 2025
How Grace Heaney developed into Purdue volleyball’s efficient hitter
Aaron Ferguson
A native of Nebraska, Grace Heaney stuck with Purdue even through injuries. The redshirt sophomore has been incredibly efficient this season. Here’s more from earlier in the year:
4:30 pm ET December 5, 2025
How transfers found their way into Purdue volleyball culture
Aaron Ferguson
The Monon Spike match was a test of sorts for Akasha Anderson, Dior Charles and several other Purdue transfers. It’s a rivalry, in coach Dave Shondell’s eyes, and allowed a pair of newcomers to see his competitive side. Here’s what it meant to them:
4:15 pm ET December 5, 2025
Dave Shondell considered retirement but Purdue volleyball reenergized him
Aaron Ferguson
Dave Shondell spoke candidly about the transfers of Chloe Chicoine and Eva Hudson, to the point he was considering retiring as the new age of player empowerment and movement hit his program — hit Purdue. So what did this season’s team leave as an impression on him? It’s in their motto, “Ever grateful,” he said.
From my exclusive conversations with the 67-year-old Shondell:
4:05 pm ET December 5, 2025
What time Purdue volleyball play in the NCAA tournament? Start time for Purdue volleyball vs Baylor
Aaron Ferguson
First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Holloway Gymnasium.
4:01 pm ET December 5, 2025
Where to watch Purdue volleyball in the NCAA Tournament; what channel is Purdue volleyball on tonight, Dec. 5?
Aaron Ferguson
ESPN+
Watch Purdue volleyball on ESPN+
3:55 pm ET December 5, 2025
Purdue volleyball tickets
Aaron Ferguson
Purdue says all-session tickets are sold out.
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The Longhorns celebrate after winning the game against Florida A&M during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
But the competition will significantly stiffen Saturday when the Longhorns (23-3) face defending national champion Penn State in a second-round meeting. The eighth-seeded Nittany Lions (19-12), which beat South Florida 3-1 in the first game Friday at Gregory Gymnasium, have endured a rocky season that included the September departure of All-American setter Izzy Starck because of mental heath concerns.
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But Penn State still has a championship pedigree that includes eight national titles, and the team still has an All-American attacker in 6-foot-6 Kennedy Martin.
“It’s one of the storied programs we have,” said Texas coach Jerritt Elliott, who’s led the Longhorns to three of their five national titles. “Obviously, two tradition-rich programs in the sport, and that makes it great for TV and great for our fans. We’re excited to be part of it.”
Based on how they played against overmatched Florida A&M (14-17), the Longhorns look primed for the challenge. Rattlers coach Gokhan Yilmaz said a Texas defense powered by a record-setting performance by Emma Halter proved more impressive than the array of Longhorn hitters led by Torrey Stafford (13 kills).
“I think their defensive effort was great,” he said. “In a match where everybody knows it would be a lopsided, they didn’t just hang around. They were going after every ball. That’s really impressive to see.”
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Halter led that defense with 25 digs, which set a school record for most digs in a 3-set match.
“Honestly, it felt really good from earlier today in warm-ups,” Halter said. “I was just like, ‘I’m kind of feeling it today.’ It’s tournament time. It’s live or die, and so I’m trying to get every ball.”
Read below for a replay and highlights from the Texas Longhorns’ win over the Florida A&M Rattlers in a NCAA Tournament first-round match.
MORE: After long journey to Austin, Texas’ Torrey Stafford leads Longhorns into NCAA volleyball tournament
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Torrey Stafford ended with 13 kills, and the Longhorns got contributions from across the lineup in an easy first-round sweep. Up next? Defending champion Penn State.
Stat leaders for Texas: Torrey Stafford with 13 kills, Ella Swindle with 20 assists, Emma Halter with 23 digs and Ayden Ames with seven total blocks. Texas leads 2-0.
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FAMU has more hitting errors than kills in this match as Texas continues to work through its bench and eye the champs in a second-round match Saturday. Whitney Lauenstein, one known as “Big Hit Whit” during her time at Nebraska, has four kills on five swings and three blocks off the bench. Texas leads 2-0.
Too much size, too much talent from Texas, which takes a 2-0 lead. Penn State is in the cheap seats watching, but I’m not sure what the Nittany Lions can glean from this match. Texas leads 2-0.
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Whitney Lauenstein has been getting some run late in the season for Texas, and she fires a pretty ball. Her first kill of the match leads to another Rattler timeout. Texas leads 1-0.
A service ace from Torrey Stafford caps a quick 3-0 spurt by Texas, and FAMU takes a time out. Texas leads 1-0.
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No drama in set one. Torrey Stafford paces Texas with five kills, Ayden Ames has three kills and three blocks, and Emma Halter tallied a whopping 10 digs.
Ayden Ames is having her way at the net for Texas with three kills on three swings and three blocks, but it’s the diving saves from Emma Halter and Rella Binney that really get the crowd going.
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That last post may have jinxed FAMU. Texas keeps swinging away, Abby Vander Wal comes off the bench for three quick kills, and Texas is on a 6-0 run.
FAMU is hanging in there early. The Rattler are making Texas work for its kills, and that’s all you can do as a big underdog.
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Ayden Ames starts it off with a spike for Texas. NCAA Tournament first round. Winner faces Penn State tomorrow.
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Penn State, the defending national champion, shook off a first-set loss and beat South Florida 3-1 and will face either Texas or Florida A&M Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in a second-round matchup. The Nittany Lions (19-12) have endured a rocky season that included the in-season departure of All-American setter Izzy Starck because of mental heath concerns, but they flashed their firepower against South Florida. Texas and Florida A&M will start at 7:08 p.m.
The matchup between Texas and Florida A&M will likely start after its scheduled time of 7 p.m., based on the current battle between Penn State and South Florida. The Longhorns and Rattlers need their allotted warm-up time, so their match will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Friday’s first match at Gregory Gymnasium. Penn State just took a 2-1 lead after winning the third set.
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PITTSBURGH – The America East champion UMBC Volleyball team season came to end as No.4 Pitt swept an NCAA Tournament first round match-up (25-10, 25-17, 25-13) on Friday night.
Jalynn Brown led the Retrievers with eight kills, while Pittsburgh-area native Hannah Dobbs added seven kills, three digs and a block.
Hannah Howard tallied a match-best 11 digs and ended the season with 457 digs, the tenth most in a single season in UMBC history.
Laura Fuehrer had four kills and two blocks and finished the season with 114 blocks and 101 assisted blocks, good for sixth and fifth most, respectively, in a single season in program history.
Claudia Lllamas picked up six kills, Helen Frankovich had four on .500 hitting with two blocks and Izzy Ostvig added a kill with 12 assists and a team-high three blocks
Serin Maden had 13 assists and finished her stellar career in the black and gold with 2,461 assists.
Ella McAllister chipped in with two digs and Ema Djordjevic also saw action in the contest.
This was both the Retrievers fifth America East championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in the past six seasons.
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