In a dramatic turn of events, the Texas Longhorns’ march through the NCAA volleyball tournament was halted on Sunday when they fell to Wisconsin 3‑1 in the regional final at Gregory Gym.
Game Recap
The match opened with Texas taking an early lead, 10‑7, before Wisconsin rallied with a 4‑0 run to level the score. Both teams exchanged points to 14‑14, after which the Badgers surged ahead, 24‑17, thanks to a kill by Carter Booth. Texas answered with a 5‑0 run, but the Longhorns ultimately lost the first set on a kill from Mimi Colyer. Wisconsin dominated the second set, stringing together three 3‑0 runs and never allowing Texas to score more than two consecutive points. In the third set, Texas fought back, turning a 12‑11 deficit into a 16‑12 lead with a 5‑0 run. Rella Binney delivered two service aces, and a 4‑0 run helped Texas reach set point, 24‑19. A net‑hit by Kristen Simon sealed the set for Wisconsin. The fourth set saw a 7‑7 tie after a kill by Taylor Harvey, but Wisconsin pulled ahead 14‑9 and maintained control. A service ace by Ramsey Gary pushed Texas back to 18‑15, yet the Badgers were too strong, ending the match on another Colyer kill.
Key Stats & Performance
Wisconsin’s Mimi Colyer led the match with a match‑high 23 kills, while Una Vajagic added 15 kills at a .458 hitting percentage. The Badgers finished with a .294 hitting percentage, 67 kills, 25 errors in 143 attempts. Texas posted a .250 hitting percentage, 48 kills, 16 errors in 128 attempts. Cari Spears topped the Longhorns with 12 kills; Torrey Stafford and Abby Vander Wal each contributed nine. Stafford recorded 10 digs and five blocks, and Emma Halter added 13 digs. Coach Jerritt Elliott described the loss as a “buzzsaw” moment, noting that “There’s a lot of good teams with good coaches that can challenge you, and that’s where the sport is headed right now,” he said. “You want this really bad for your team, to advance to a Final Four and have a chance at a national championship.”
Season Context & Next Steps
Texas finishes the season with a 26‑4 record, having remained undefeated in sets through the tournament until facing Wisconsin. Wisconsin, now 28‑4, will meet Kentucky in the national semifinals on Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri. Texas A&M and Pitt also advanced to the national semifinals, with the Aggies defeating a previously undefeated Nebraska team in five sets. Emma Halter, a member of two Texas national championship teams, reflected on the emotional toll of the season’s end: “We are all each other’s best friends and have an incredible culture here,” she said. “We knew we could do special things, and not to reach our final goal is really tough.”
Key Takeaways
- Wisconsin’s Mimi Colyer led the match with 23 kills, while Texas finished with a .250 hitting percentage.
- Texas ended its season 26‑4, having dropped its first set only against Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin (28‑4) will face Kentucky in the national semifinals in Kansas City.
The Longhorns’ loss marks the end of a remarkable run, but the team’s resilience and camaraderie remain a testament to their program’s strength.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
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