Texas Volleyball was so close to winning the SEC Tournament Championship. The Longhorns had the Kentucky Wildcats down to match point twice in the pivotal third set. But the Wildcats held on, won Set III and used the momentum to storm to the SEC Volleyball title, winning 3-2.
UT won the first two sets and had the ‘Cats on the brink at 24-22. But kills by Eva Hudson and Asia Thigpen fueled a three-point streak for Kentucky and the set.
From then on it was all Kentucky. The Wildcats too the fourth set 25-22 and scored the final six points in the deciding fifth set to win the title.
Texas Volleyball has only lost three matches all season, two of them now are to the Kentucky Wildcats. UT lost in the regular season to Texas A&M as well, but avenged that loss in the semifinal.
Longhorns Volleyball will now wait to see what seed they will get in the NCAA Tournament. The selection show will be Sunday, Nov. 30
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!FINAL: Texas 2, Kentucky 3Set V: Texas 9, Kentucky 15UK run gives ‘Cats title
Kentucky closed with six straight points to win the conference title.
Another successful UK challenge
UK has won a pivotal point on a challenge. The call was one touch, but it was reversed. UK leads 9-8
Texas within one
Four our of six points has cut the UK lead in the the fifth set to 8-7. The teams now switch sides.
‘Cats jump out
Two straight points, including another video review that went against Texas, has given Kentucky a two-point lead. 5-3.
Deciding set tied early
It’s been back and forth so far in the fifth set. The game is tied 3-3.
SET IV: Texas 22, Kentucky 25’Cats pull away, win set
After the Longhorns cut the lead to one, UK went on a run and closed out the set. We head to a deciding fifth set.
Texas cuts into lead
Four straight points have cut the UK lead to 21-19. If Texas wins the set they are champs. If Kentucky wins the set we had to a deciding set five.
UK close in on tying match
The ‘Cats have a five point 20-15 lead in the fourth set and all of the momentum.
UT finally wins a challenge
The Longhorns challenged a ball out call after a spike by Cari Spears. The reversal cuts the UK lead to 12-11.
Texas ties it
Another big kill from Stafford has tied up the fourth set 7-7.
Another Challenge loss for UT
Video replay hasn’t been kind to Texas tonight. The Longhorns have lost another one-touch challenge giving the point to Kentucky. UK leads 6-5.
‘Cats jump out early
Emboldened by the big comeback in the third set, the Wildcats have sprinted out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth frame.
SET III: Texas 24, Kentucky 26
Kentucky won the final four points to take the set.
UK roars back
Kentucky comes back and fights off two match points to take the third set.
Title within reach
A big kill by Ayden Ames has Texas two points from the title. 23-19.
UK keeping it close
The ‘Cats have won four of the last five points to cut the UT lead to 16-15 thanks to an ace by Ramsey Gary.
Huge Dig by Horns
Big big dig by Emma Halter set up a spike by Ayden Ames led to a big point. UT leads 11-8.
UT jumps out to quick lead
The Longhorns are trying to close out Kentucky and are up 6-2 in the third frame.
SET II: Texas 28, Kentucky 26
Texas needed four set points but they have completed the six point in-set comeback to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
Texas ties set
A big kill by Torrey Stafford has tied up the set 23-23. Texas down by six at one point.
Texas loses challenge
A pancake dig by Texas was overturned by video review. UK leads 22-18. Its a big swing.
UK pulling away
After a run by Texas to close the gap, Kentucky has gone on a run of its own. The Wildcats lead 18-14 late in Set II.
Texas closes to two
The Longhorns have gone on a roll in the last few points and have cut the UK second set lead down to two. Torrey Stafford and Cari Spears have back to back kills. 13-11.
UK’s blocking UT so far
The Kentucky defense has really stepped up on the second set. The Wildcats have stuffed several big Texas shots so far and lead 9-4.
‘Cats up early in second set
A kill by Eva Hudson has put Kentucky up 5-2 early in the second frame.
SET I: Texas 25, Kentucky 19
The Longhorns were dominant in the first set, especially freshman who had a game high seven kills in the first frame.
Texas closing in on first set
The Longhorns have played error free and lead every stat so far. Texas is up 22-16. Vander Wal has six kills already.
UT holding on in first set
Texas’ Torrey Stafford already has three kills as UT continues to lead 15-10.
Texas opens up five point lead
So far so good. Texas has jumped out ot a 9-4 and UK has taken its first time out of the set.
Freshman Phenom
A Kill by Abby Vander Wal has given Texas a quick 3-1 lead.
Texas Longhorns Starting Lineup
Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.