Longhorns drop Jayhawks in 3 games

By Jesse Temple     Nov 8, 2007

Nick Krug
KU's Karina Garlington battles Texas' Michelle Moriarty in the second game Wednesday at Horejsi Center.

The list of accolades for the University of Texas volleyball team stretches on and on. First in the Big 12 in blocks, hitting percentage, assists and kills. Four different players named conference offensive player of the week. Ranked No. 3 in the nation overall.

So it comes as no great shame for Kansas University that the Longhorns demolished the Jayhawks at Horejsi Center on Wednesday night in three straight games (30-20, 30-19, 30-18). After all, Texas hasn’t lost a match in two months. Heck, the Longhorns haven’t even lost a GAME in more than a month.

“Against a team like this,” KU coach Ray Bechard said, “you just can’t take a three- or four-point break. Because they’re too talented. They’re too experienced.”

Indeed.

KU (11-15, 4-12) stayed close in the early going, even taking a 9-8 lead in game two. But Texas used its length to dominate up front and easily pull away, recording 12 blocks to the Jayhawks’ three.

“They’re big,” senior Emily Brown said. “They’re very good at what they do. Dominance is a good word.”

Bechard called Texas (19-3, 14-1) the hottest team in the country and said UT simply had too many weapons.

“They’re tough when they spread the floor,” he said. “It’s kind of like (KU quarterback Todd) Reesing and all the weapons he has when they spread you out like that.”

Kansas, which was swept by the Longhorns earlier this season, figured to be more competitive in its second attempt against them. KU was coming off its first win against a ranked team in more than a year – a victory versus No. 18 Oklahoma on Saturday. But the momentum didn’t carry over against a Texas team that remains on a roll, tied atop the Big 12 standings with No. 2 ranked Nebraska.

“You think of the Big 12, everybody thinks ‘Nebraska, Nebraska,'” Brown said. “A couple weeks ago, lo and behold, Texas beats Nebraska.”

Now Kansas must regroup for two conference road games before returning home next week for senior night.

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