Fifth ranked Texas Volleyball enters Dante’s Rings of Hell the Nike Big Four Volleyball Classic Friday in pursuit of its 1001th win. To earn it, the Horns will have to battle #1 Penn State, #2 Stanford, and #4 Florida. Whoever named it the “Big Four” tournament wasn’t messing around. In the first month of the season, #5 Texas will have played the top four national squads. The winner—really the survivor—of the tournament should emerge as the national favorite to start the regular season.
In a weekend of big matchups, the local story will be Texas’ shot to earn revenge against the Nittany Lions. You might remember that Texas was up two sets on Penn State in the NCAA Championship before losing three in a row. Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Penn State, the first choice for any volleyball recruit, travels to Gainesville armed with Deja McClendon and Blair Brown. The two hitters have combined for 130 kills in only eighteen sets. Brown, a 6’5’’ Senior, spent her summer training with the US National Team. Setting for the Lions will be handled by Kristen Carpenter. Alyssa D’Errico will don the opposite jersey at libero. With fifteen service aces, D’Errico is no slouch behind the line either.
Stanford ‘s Alix Klineman was a second-team All American last season. This year, her senior season, she is averaging 4.77 kills per game. Texas’ front line will have to reduce her impact to stay competitive.
Florida may be 5-0, but they haven’t exactly been dominating their opposition. They only have 26 more kills, 19 more assists, and 17.5 more blocks than their sub-par opponents.Florida has operated a spike-by –committee approach led by Kelly Murphy, Callie Rivers, and Kristy Jaeckel.
There is good and bad news going into this weekend, I’ll try to lay out the important ones.
Good News: Texas has been ranked in the top ten for sixty-one straight weeks and the top five for thirty-four weeks.
Bad News: Texas dropped from #2 to #5 this week after being swept by Illinois on Friday.
Good News: Juliann Faucette has seventy kills in 20 sets.
Bad News: Illinois’ success resulted from dealing with her normally deadly spikes.
Good News: With 208 sets on the season, Hannah Allison is playing like a veteran. Based on this interview, she seems like a down-to-earth girl too.
Bad News: This weekend will be a remarkably tough challenge for any freshman. She is about to be Gilberted, for lack of a better term.
Good News: Unlike Stanford, Texas has already been challenged this season.
Bad News: Unlike Texas’ early opponents, Stanford has four players over 6’4’’ including 6’6’’ outside hitter Hayley Spelman.
Good News: Texas will have a height advantage over Florida, the weekend’s easiest opponent.
Bad News: Easiest is relative, as the tournament will be played in always-rowdy Gainesville.
Good News: Rachel Adams, Sha’Dare McNeal, and Jennifer Doris are racking up the blocks.
Bad News: The Gators, Lions, and Cardinal are significantly more athletic than the McNeese State….. whatever those girls called themselves.
Good News: Freshman Sarah Palmer performed well in her first sets in Gregory. She will likely replace fellow Hawaiian Sydney Yogi at Libero in two seasons.
Bad News: To play their tempo, the Longhorns will need stellar play off the bench. Even Yogi eventually gets warn-out from throwing herself at the floor.
Here is the original post:
Texas Volleyball – Big Four Volleyball Classic Preview
Filed under Lets Talk Texas, News by on Sep 9th, 2010. Comment. 
This was from a Firing Line submission:
Don’t boo Wyoming
In light of the tragic death of a Wyoming football player earlier this week, can we please not boo them when they come out on the field or if they make a decent play or two?
I always feel pity for the students and others that feel the need to boo whenever an opponent comes out of the visitor’s locker room. Why bother in the first place?
On top of that, Wyoming had a lot to deal with, including an away game after something so awful. Just don’t boo.— Creighton Weber
Texas Exes life member
I approve of this message.
I have never booed the opposing team, but I agree that it would be in particularly poor taste this weekend. As I understand it, we will be paying tribute to Ruben Narcisse before the game.
Go here to see the original:
Daily Texan: Don’t Boo Wyoming
Filed under Football, Lets Talk Texas by on Sep 9th, 2010. Comment.
I’m not going to lie, I’m not terribly tech savvy. I keep plugging into Google searches such as “Texas vs Rice Replay,” “Free Texas vs. Rice Torrent,” etc. I can’t find anything, and I know at this point I pretty much know all the details but if someone could provide a link to the replay of the game I would be eternally grateful. I feel like an idiot cause I DVR’ed Michigan vs. UConn on Saturday, and then when they did the replay at 2:30 in the morning, my power went out because of Hurricane Hater. Thank you Nation.
Filed under Lets Talk Texas by on Sep 9th, 2010. Comment.
Bumped from the Fan Posts. –Ed.
Wednesdays can suck, especially the one that follows Labor Day and the opening weekend of college football. It would be depressing if not for the bright light at the end of my tunnel; the double rainbow calling my name (what does it mean?); the soothing caress of comfort that is: Week 2.
Because football is indeed cooler than what you are currently doing, here’s a quick look at this past weekend (w/ pictures!), and then the upcoming match-ups that we can only hope include an upset – because it’s Week 2, and that’s what happens. This is when it gets hot.
Highlights from WEEK 1:
#2 Ohio State 45, Marshall 7
Terrelle Pryor came out with a strong showing as the leading [superbigtimetrophy] contender. Completing 17 of 25 for 247 yards, 3 TDs and no INTs, he confirms that he doesn’t suck at football.
#14 USC 49, Hawaii 36
This is only worth mentioning as the only way the sanction stricken Trojans playing Hawaii on Thursday could be interesting is if Lane Kiffin were to do something only Lane Kiffin would do. And he did. Four times. Because at some point, the size of one’s genitalia is all you got.
No. 4 Florida 34, Miami (OH) 12
Hahahahahuhuhuhuh… look, Tim. Tim?
No. 11 Oregon 72, New Mexico 0
Chip Kelly pours concrete on his foothold of coachiness after cutting his star felon quarterback loose to the Right Reverend and proceeds to beat the everliving shit out of Los Lobos, which is initially funny considering the weekend results of the latter, then immediately frightening. I imagine an elaborate scene in which that big bulldog headlocks Tom while Jerry drinks his martini on top of the doghouse.
Jacksonville State 49, Mississippi 48 (2OT)
There’s not a whole lot to say here, but Houston Nutt is dirty.
No. 7 Oklahoma 31, Utah State 24
/fart noise
“Hehe, that would be funny…”
“Hey wow, look at that.”
“Ah, nevermind”
“Oh shit yes GO!”
4th Quarter:
/crickets
No. 21 LSU 30, No. 18 North Carolina 24
Let’s all make a personal vow to say “Spike it!” and giggle childishly in the 4th quarter of every LSU game. It’s better this way and is still funny. Also, UNC didn’t look half bad for having 300 guys on probation.
No. 3 Boise State 33, No. 10 Virginia Tech 30
Hey, did you hear about Boise State? Did ya? Huh?
Key Match-Ups for WEEK 2:
(Throw some predictions out there)
11:00AM CT #22 Georgia @ #24 South Carolina – ESPN2
Prediction: UGA – 24, USC – 17
2:30 PM CT #17 Florida State @ #10 Oklahoma – ABC
Prediction: FSU – 34, OU – 28
2:30 PM CT Michigan @ Notre Dame – NBC
Prediction: Mich – 27, ND – 41
2:40 PM CT #12 Miami (FL) @ #2Ohio State – ESPN
Prediction: MIA – 25, tOSU – 24 (you know this)
6:00 PM CT #18 Penn State @ #1 Alabama – ESPN
Prediction: PSU – 13, UA – 31
And cuz polls R allsome:
See the original post here:
Mid-Week Fix: Recap, Predictions, Color Photos
Filed under Football, Lets Talk Texas by on Sep 8th, 2010. Comment.
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Looking for Great Longhorn Apparel?
Filed under Lets Talk Texas by on Sep 8th, 2010. Comment.
On Saturday night, Texas volleyball’s history 1000th victory was overshadowed by the football game. Earlier in the week, the Horns were awarded a number two ranking after strolling through the Burnt Orange Classic. This weekend’s Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational featured much stronger competition with Florida A&M, #5 Illinois, and #23 Long Beach State travelling to Austin.
Texas moved to 4-0 after defeating the Florida A&M Rattlers, who have won the MEAC Conference nine consecutive times. Oddly enough, the core of their team was all Peruvian (in the same way that half of Oklahoma’s roster is Texans). Long story short, Texas effectively shut down any attacks at the net and recorded twenty blocks.
Texas volleyball losses are rare. Texas volleyball home losses pretty much don’t happen. On Friday night, Illinois had Texas’ number in three sets. The sweep abruptly ended the Gazelle’s twenty-five match home winning streak and was the first time home sweep since 2003. The Horns started slow and never were able to gain control of the tempo.
Fired up from the night before, the Longhorns fought their way through Long Beach State. Both veterans and rookies alike were able to contribute to the historic victory. Freshman Hannah Allison set her way to 48 assists and pulled Texas out of a hole with a seven-point service run. Upperclass(wo)men Rachel Adams and Juliann Faucette combined for twenty-five kills and three service aces. Coach Jerritt Elliott commented after the game, “It’s nice to see this program be an elite program based on the number of wins and we will try to relay that with an email to the alumni. We’re honored. It’s an honor to be a coach here, it’s an honor to be a player here and we recognize that and it’s because of the rich tradition of having 1,000 wins.”
Texas faces #3 Stanford on Friday in the Nike Big Four Volleyball Classic. The Horns will then take on either #1 Penn State or Florida the next day (gulp).
Texas A&M Recap | Illinois Recap | Long Beach State Recap
More here:
Texas Volleyball – Horns Earn 1000th Victory
Filed under Football, Lets Talk Texas by on Sep 7th, 2010. Comment.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ys-bushheisman090710
It looks like they aren’t planning to give the Heisman to Vince. Just leave a vacancy for that year. This was a long time in coming. Vince proved his point in the NC game. Yahoo Sports has been on this story for over 2 years and it seemed it was just a matter of time. The sad part is all of the lost recognition that Vince so richly deserved in 2005. Too bad they won’t award him the Heisman.
View original post here:
Reggie Bush loses Heisman
Filed under Football, Lets Talk Texas, News by on Sep 7th, 2010. Comment.
I love Boise State’s football team. They seem to beat every decent, good, or great team they play in recent memory. And they do it in dramatic fashion. Not unlike a one Vince Young, I think he played for our team a few years ago.
It is not likely that UT will end up lobbying with Boise for a final spot in the MNC. By my estimation that would take Boise going undefeated, us going undefeated or with 1 loss, and many other teams faltering…Let us also not forget that it is the MNC we are debating – the mythical national championship. It can’t be that important if it is a mythical entity.
So let us appreciate, not denegrate, Boise’s victories as the underdog against the traditional powerhouses. Especially against programs as despicable as OU and VT (and Oregon – I hate that mascot duck man). I always say “Hook Em!” But tonight, I also say “Go Broncs!” Comments welcome.
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Do you like Boise State?
Filed under Football, Lets Talk Texas by on Sep 7th, 2010. Comment.
I continue to be amazed on what the Texas defensive coaching staff sees in Blake Gideon to warrant a starting Safety job. Chalk up the Rice game as another example on how Gideon has no business in the starting lineup (I’d said this since before the infamous Texas Tech drop).
1. Rice fluke passing play at end of half – Gideon chooses to cold cock the Rice receiver instead of knock the ball down or go for the interception. The ball literally went 1-2 feet over his head to the trailing Rice WR for a TD.
2. Gideon continues to not make any plays on the ball. 0 pass defenses.
3. Gideon also showed twice that he cannot prevent the ball carrier from not getting any additional yards after contact. He just piles on for the tackles.
Vaccaro led the team with 8 tackles, 6 solo, and played a great game from the Bench. Gideon on the other hand had only 6 tackles with 2 solo while playing the entire game.
Read the original here:
Vaccaro should start over Gideon
Filed under Football, Lets Talk Texas by on Sep 7th, 2010. Comment.
Where would be the best parking for the Wyoming game?? I am coming in from San Antonio to watch the game. What would be a good time to get the best parking?? Thanks guys!!! I am excited, this is going to be my second game live so I am looking forward to it. If anyone is going anywhere to eat before the game what are some good places??!! Looking for some good beer!!!!! Hook ‘em!!
Continued here:
Parking for Wyoming
Filed under Lets Talk Texas by on Sep 6th, 2010. Comment.
