Around Campus

Volleyball Ready for Bigger and Better Things in 2005

The Texas volleyball team will begin the 2005 season right where it ended the 2004 campaign; ranked 11th in the country. With such a strong reputation heading into the season, fifth-year head coach Jerritt Elliott and his Longhorns will look to improve on last year’s standings and set themselves up for another postseason push this year.

After an NCAA “Sweet 16” appearance last year – the team’s first since 1998 – the Longhorns have reclaimed their place in college volleyball’s elite. The Horns fell in a close three-game match to eventual national champion Stanford in the regional semifinal, and with all but two starters returning, Texas is aiming for bigger and better things in 2005.

In 2004 as a freshman, Michelle Moriarty stepped in, earned the starting setter job and led Texas to a record year offensively. This season, Moriarty is back to lead the exciting, younger group of hitters around her. The 2005 Longhorns have only one senior on the roster and no players with more than two years of collegiate playing experience. Yet Elliott and his staff are excited to get the season started because of the potential of the team. Also returning are junior Dariam Acevedo – the 2004 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year – and sophomore Jen Christian. Sophomore Alyson Jennings is back for the second year in a row.

While the Horns have four starters coming back, a crop of six newcomers will challenge for playing time right away, including junior middle blocker Jennifer Todd, from the traditional Pac-10 power Washington State. Also looking to make an impact in her final season of collegiate athletics is former UT women’s basketball All-American Heather Schreiber, who was a stand-out volleyball player in high school.

Joining the two older newcomers is a group of four eager freshmen: Lauren Paolini, RuthAnn Feist, Kiley Hall and Kristin Durant. Paolini was ranked seventh nationally by recruiting services and Feist was one of Volleyball Magazine’s Fab 50 recruits. Hall will help solidify the defense and Durant led the Metroplex area in digs in each of her final three seasons in high school.

Texas’ home schedule at Gregory Gym features 10 matches this season – all Big 12 Conference opponents. Last season, the Big 12 ranked as the third-hardest conference in the nation and sent seven of its 10 teams to the NCAA Tournament.

UT opens its home slate on Wednesday, Sept 14, when the Horns welcome Colorado to Gregory Gym. Last season, the two teams opened the conference schedule with a thrilling five-game match in Austin, which saw UT pull out the victory in extra points in the fifth game.

Volleyball season tickets ($64-$80) are on sale now at all Texas Box Office locations, and single match tickets ($4-$8) can also be purchased separately.