No. 2 Longhorns Seek Redemption Against No. 3 Kentucky After First Loss

AUSTIN, Texas — The No. 2 ranked Texas Longhorns volleyball team is determined to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season. They will face No. 3 Kentucky at noon on Sunday at Gregory Gymnasium.

Texas (18-1, 10-1 SEC) is looking to regain momentum after a narrow 3-2 defeat to No. 9 Texas A&M on Friday. This match is critical for the Longhorns, who are in pursuit of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular-season championship. Currently, Kentucky (17-2, 10-0) leads the SEC standings, while Texas A&M is tied for second with the Longhorns.

“Winning against Kentucky is essential if we want to secure at least a share of the SEC title,” said Texas coach Jerritt Elliott. “Every match matters, especially now.”

Texas is also focused on achieving a top-four national seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The top four seeds will host the first two rounds and regional tournaments, providing a significant advantage as the Longhorns work toward a potential Final Four appearance in Kansas City scheduled for December.

In the latest NCAA RPI rankings released on October 27, Texas held the No. 1 spot, while Nebraska followed at No. 2. A victory over Kentucky might help Texas remain among the top contenders despite the recent loss.

The Longhorns have several key players to watch, including outside hitter Torrey Stafford, who had 14 kills in the match against Texas A&M. On the other side of the net, Kentucky features standout Eva Hudson, who leads the Wildcats with an impressive 20 kills on Friday.

The excitement is high as fans prepare for this highly-anticipated matchup. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN, starting at 1 p.m. ET. Texas will need a strong performance from its players to keep its championship dreams alive.