FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/2/01
Longhorns stay undefeated with 3-1 win over Washington
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Freshman outside hitter Mira Topic (Kambelovac, Croatia/Vladimir Nazor) recorded 17 kills and 17 digs as the University of Texas volleyball team finished its first weekend of competition with a 3-1 win (30-28, 30-23, 30-32, 32-30) over host Washington at the Point Huskies Invitational Saturday evening at the Bank of America Arena in Seattle, Wash. The Longhorns improve to 3-0 on the season under first-year head coach Jerritt Elliott. Washington falls to 1-2 to start the season.
Topic was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament after collecting 53 kills, a .322 hitting percentage, 46 digs, 11 service aces and four blocks in three games. Freshman middle blocker Bethany Howden (Austin, Texas) also was named to the all-tournament team, finishing the weekend with 54 kills, a .353 hitting percentage, three block solos and eight block assists. Howden posted nine kills against Washington, while senior outside hitter Gipy Duarte (Lima, Peru/Colegia Maria Reina) added 15 kills and 17 digs in the win.
The 3-0 sweep at the Point Huskies Invitational marks the first time since 1998 that the Longhorns went undefeated in a tournament. Texas defeated Southern Illinois and Northwestern at the Longhorn Invitational (Sept. 4-5) three years ago.
"We are really proud of the players and the way the season has started," said head coach Jerritt Elliott. "The team has gained confidence with each win, especially after beating No. 11 Brigham Young. We still have a lot of work to do, but returning home with three wins is attributed to the hardwork of the players during preseason."
The Longhorns edged the Huskies in game one 30-28 despite being outhit .156 to .146. In game two, Texas battled back after falling behind early and broke an 18-18 tie off a kill by Lara. The Longhorns kept the lead as they finished game two on a 12-5 run, capped by a game-winning kill from Topic. After dropping the third game, Texas rallied in game four to win 32-30 and take the match.
The Longhorns
open their 2001 home season on Tuesday, Sept. 4, against Southwest Texas
at 7 p.m. in Gregory Gym. To purchase tickets call the Longhorns ticket
office at (512) 471-3333 or 1-800-982-BEVO. Tickets also can be purchased
on gameday at the door or by calling UTTM at (512) 471-6060. Information
on Texas Volleyball and all other sports can be found at www.TexasSports.com
or by calling (512) 471-4602.
Point
Huskies Invitational All-Tournament Team
Most Valuable Player - Mira Topic, Texas
Nina Puikkonen, BYU
Allison Richardson, Washington
Bethany Howden, Texas
Gretchen Mauer, Washington
Sunny Tonga Mahe, BYU
