AUSTIN, Texas – The No. 2 University of Texas Volleyball team battled to a 3-2 victory (25-22, 19-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-7) over No. 17 tennessee Wednesday night, securing their ninth win against a ranked opponent this season. The win marks the frist time since 2009 that Texas has remained undefeated against ranked teams through the first nine such matches of the regular season.
The Longhorns’ resilience was on full display against a strong tennessee team that entered the match leading the NCAA in hitting percentage. Texas successfully limited the Volunteers to a .262 attack percentage, their lowest in SEC play. Torrey Stafford spearheaded the Longhorns’ attack with a career-high 30 kills, while Ella Swindle orchestrated the offense with a career-best 48 assists and 12 digs, earning her fourth double-double of the year. Freshman Cari Spears also achieved her first career double-double, contributing 14 kills and 11 digs.
Texas controlled the opening set, closing with a 5-0 run and Stafford leading with nine kills at a .529 clip. Tennessee responded in the second set, ending Texas’ 24-set win streak with a 25-19 victory. The Longhorns regained momentum in the third, finishing with a 6-1 run fueled by Stafford and Abby Vander Wal, who combined for nine kills. The fourth set proved the most competitive, with Tennessee narrowly edging out Texas 25-23.
The decisive fifth set saw Texas dominate, hitting .538 as a team and holding Tennessee to a -0.59 hitting percentage. A strong defensive presence,led by Stafford and Ayden Ames with two blocks each,helped seal the 15-7 victory. The win handed Tennessee its first loss in conference play.
The Longhorns will continue SEC play on Sunday, Oct. 12, traveling to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama at 2 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.
