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Wildcats fall to Longhorns in three straight sets

Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009

Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009 06:11

Adding another sweep to its already impressive record, No. 2 Texas claimed another match in three games against K-State Wednsesday night in Austin, Texas.

While K-State (10-17, 4-13 Big 12 Conference) fared well against Texas (21-1, 16-1) earlier this season – losing each game by five points or less – the team could not find the same success last night. It lost the games 13-25, 10-25 and 17-25, picking up some heat near the end, but ultimately falling in the same match score as in October.

The Longhorns jumped out to an early lead in game one for a 6-3 advantage, but K-State returned to within one of tying the game. Texas continued their streak of three-point runs to double K-State's score at 10-5, with the Wildcats resurging once again to narrow the gap at 8-10 after they began a drive of more-aggressive serving. After a four-point push from Texas, K-State was unable to recover, losing the first game 25-13 behind an eight-point run from the Longhorns.

Using their momentum from the previous game, the Longhorns came out quickly to claim another early lead with eight points over their first two serves. The rest of the game followed suit as Texas picked up a string of runs, owing a few points to K-State's multiple service errors. The Wildcats could not find any favor throughout the game, eventually losing 10-25, the third time this season for such a large deficit.

K-State returned from the intermission looking for its first win of the night. It held Texas at an even tie for a couple of serves, but the Longhorns slowly pulled ahead, ending the first rotation with a five-point run to put them ahead 15-8. The teams traded points as K-State fought to stay in the match, and the Wildcats held Texas from the win with their own four-point run – including a service ace from freshman defensive specialist Caitlyn Donahue. However, their stint proved unsuccessful in stopping the Longhorns short. Texas claimed the match 25-17.

As she had all season, senior outside hitter Destinee Hooker recorded the strongest numbers for her team with an impressive 15 kills for a .500 hitting percentage. Three other Longhorns hit for over .350. Defensively, Texas had 19 team blocks, with four solo and four assisted blocks from Hooker, who also scored thee service aces. Senior libero Heather Kisner led Texas in the back row with 21 digs, and assists were split between the two setters, senior Ashley Engle and sophomore Michelle Kocher.

The Wildcats posted less impressive statistics. Sophomore defensive specialist Abby Fay recorded the most digs for her team, followed by junior libero Lauren Mathewson in one of her shyest matches of the season. Junior outside hitter Vanessa Murray found the most kills on her side of the net, in front of junior outside hitter JuliAnne Chisholm and senior middle blocker Kelsey Chipman.

K-State will resume play this Saturday when it takes on Colorado for the second time this season. The match in Ahearn Field House will serve as Senior Day. The team will recognize Kelsey Chipman and Soriana Pacheco in a pregame ceremony.

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