On the cusp of Big 12 Conference play, #6 Texas Volleyball Defeats # 19 Ohio State

Texas Longhorns fans Jack Maddox, right, and Braedon Gardella, left, cheer for the Longhorns during the volleyball game against Stanford in Gregory Gym on Sunday, Sep. 3, 2023 in Austin. Photo: Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following a competitive first set, #6 Texas defeated #19 Ohio State swiftly the following three sets to take the match (3-1). As the National Championship Longhorns move into Big 12 Conference play next week, this was an important win over a ranked team after being defeated by unranked Long Beach State in their season opener and then a Top Five, Stanford, shortly thereafter.

With 20 digs tonight to ensure her offense was operating on all cylinders, sophomore Libero Emma Halter had her best night of the season and was pivotal to the Longhorns win. Madisen Skinner (OH) was equally impressive, with her career high at Texas of 24 kills, complimented by middle blocker Bella Bergmark who had nine kills and four blocks for the program.

Overall, the Longhorns improved their offensive efficiency to 0.321 – much closer to their 2022 season of 0.336 – but are still suffering from their service game with 14 errors. In back-to-back top matches, Texas hosts #11 Washington State on the Forty Acres tomorrow night denoting the last match prior to Big 12 Conference play to commence September 22 versus Oklahoma on the road in Norman.