Live updates from Moody Center

Texas volleyball made history Sunday by playing Stanford in its first match in Moody Center, the 3-year-old venue on the east side of the Texas campus that serves as the home of the Longhorns men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The No. 2 Longhorns (4-0) rewarded the record crowd of 10,899 – the largest crowd to ever see a regular-season volleyball match in the state of Texas – with a thrilling 3-2 win over the Cardinal (3-2). The nonconference contest marked the first match at Moody Center for Texas, which will return to their regular home of Gregory Gymnasium Sept. 14 against Arizona State.

Texas controlled the first two sets but had to rally in the fifth for the 25-15, 25-23, 21-25, 13-25, 18-16 win.

Outside hitter Torrey Stafford paced Texas with a match-high 18 kills, including five during the Longhorns’ late surge after they fell behind 10-5 in the fifth set. 

Read below for a replay and highlights.

Texas rallies in an instant classic. The largest crowd in the history of Austin volleyball won’t forget this one.

Torrey Stafford sails one just wide. Taut final stretch.

Torrey Stafford (17 kills) has four of the last five points and Texas has roared back into the lead.

Torrey Stafford shows why she’s an All-American with back-to-back crafty kills for UT, and Moody is rocking right now. Let’s see if this biggest crowd to ever see the Longhorns play in the state of Texas can help carry the Horns down the stretch.

A fireball serve from Jordyn Harvey trickles over the net for an ace, and the Cardinal are closing in on a ferocious comeback win. Does Texas have an answer?

The Cardinal keep digging everything Texas throws at them. 

In easily its worst set of the season, Texas had more hitting errors (8) than kills (6). In comparison, Stanford hit .500 that set. It’s all even at 2-2. 

The wheels have fallen off for the Longhorns this set, and Stanford is about to pull even despite a combined 36 hitting and service errors. Who steps up for this unbeaten Texas team? Texas leads 2-1.

The Cardinal are on a 9-3 run since their timeout. Their defense has been fantastic this set while holding Texas to .062 hitting. Texas leads 2-1.

Torrey Stafford is starting to heat up for Texas with two kills this set and a team-high 12 for the match. The Cardinal try and cool her down with a timeout.

The No. 6 Cardinal fight back and win the third set to avoid the sweep. Elia Rubin, their All-American outside hitter, found her groove and now has 11 kills. Somehow, Stanford is still in this match after committing a combined 30 attacking and serving errors. Texas leads 2-1.

Texas has something working with Ramsey Gary on the service line. Stanford take a timeout.

It’s now or never if Texas wants the sweep. Cari Spears has 11 kills on 18 swings to lead Texas.

The Longhorns are trying to claw their way back into this set, and the Cardinal are helping out with 13 service errors. By the way, the announced crowd of 10,899 sets a new record for a regular-season volleyball match in the state of Texas. Texas leads 2-0.

Stanford is off to its best start of the match, and Jerritt Elliott takes a timeout. Something to watch for Stanford; Taylor Yu leaves the game after tweaking her foot or ankle, and Logan Parks takes over at setter for the Cardinal. Texas leads 2-0.

Clutch assist from Emma Halter, of all people. She finds Abby Vander Wal on the left side after some scrambling, and the Texas freshman sends it to the court for set point. That’s only Vander Wal’s second kill but it comes in the biggest of moments. Texas leads 2-0.

A little knuckleball ace from Emma Halter, and Stanford coach Kevin Hambly doesn’t like it. He calls a timeout, and we’re in crunch time in the second set. Texas leads 1-0.

Texas is hitting .533 this set but the Cardinal service game is causing some problems. Cari Spears continues to pace Texas with nine kills on 12 swings. Texas leads 1-0.

Timeout Jerritt Elliott, the first for the Texas coach. The Cardinal are on a 4-0 run and finding some rhythm in their attack. Texas leads 1-0.

Elia Rubin gets an early kill for the Cardinal, who are trying to find a weakness in this big Texas block. But Jerritt Elliott helps blunt Stanford’s early momentum by winning a challenge on a touch call.

Impressive opening set by the Longhorns. A thunderous kill by Ayden Ames on a set from Rella Binney closes things out. Cari Spears, the freshman, paces Texas with five kills. And the Longhorn defense clamps down on Stanford All-American Elia Rubin, who has just two kills on six swings.

The Cardinal closed to within five points before Cari Spears hammers her fourth kill. Ella Swindle with eight assists so far for Texas. 

Stanford blinks first with a timeout. Lots of errors so far – a combined nine from both teams – but the Longhorns are on a little spurt behind Cari Spears and her three kills. The freshman continues to impress.

Texas will start setter Ella Swindle, outside hitter Cari Spears, outside hitter Torrey Stafford, libero Emma Halter, middle blocker Ayden Ames, middle blocker Nya Bunton and defensive specialist Ramsey Gary. Stanford will start OH Jordyn Harvey, OH Elia Rubin, OH Ipar Kurt, libero Spencer Etzler, setter Taylor Yu and MB Erika Sayer