Oct. 11, 2016  vs.  |
(RV) Baylor (15-5,3 -1) vs.No. 4 Texas (13-2, 5-0)
Oct. 11, 2016 |7 :00 p.m. CT
Waco, Texas | Ferrell Center
TV: FOX Sports Southwest / FOX College Sports Central
 Watch |  Listen($) | | Baylor Match Notes
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By John Shellenberger
Baylor Bear Foundation Led by the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, Katie Staiger, the surging Baylor volleyball team (15-5, 3-1 Big 12) looks to topple No. 4 Texas (13-2, 5-0 Big 12) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ferrell Center.
The Bears swept TCU last weekend, picking up their third conference win, but Texas presents the greatest challenge Baylor has faced all season.
"They're very physical kids. Both outsides, left and right side, are hitting very powerfully and extremely well," Baylor coach Ryan McGuyre said. "They bring a lot of heat. They're leading the conference in attack percentage, so it will really be a testament to our defense, something we focused on all spring and something we've made some good strides in."
Historically, Texas has been Baylor's Achilles heel, with the Longhorns leading the all-time series 77-2. The Bears have dropped 28 in a row and haven't beaten UT since Oct. 27, 2001. But this new team, under their second-year head coach, isn't dwelling on records.
"Past is past. We can be reminded of it, we can learn from it, we can react to it, but... we're here to break history," said McGuyre. "That's something we want to do, we're doing it in little areas, and we'd like to continue to do that in some big areas."
Baylor leads the Big 12 in blocks, and though the Bears might not have the size advantage over Texas, they feel confident about their defense going into the match.
"It doesn't really matter whose on the other side of the net," said Staiger. "We're focusing on what we're doing on our side. When that's flowing and coming together, we can beat anyone."
Senior setter Morgan Reed will certainly be in the spotlight Wednesday. Reed has commanded the Bears' offense well this season, and she will need to continue to perform at her highest level if the Bears hope to come away with a win.
Last week, Reed provided her teammates with 30 assists, one short of TCU's total of 31. The week before, Reed totaled 39 assists in the 3-0 sweep against Texas Tech. McGuyre and his staff undoubtedly will find ways to get the ball to the playmaker.
"All of volleyball comes down to serve and pass. Offensively we've been doing things much better. I feel our tempo has been good when we're passing. We're in system," McGuyre said.
Controlling the pace seems to be the key for Baylor, and the Bears have just the servers to do that. As Staiger's high-velocity jump serve continues to improve, and Jana Brusek's pin point accuracy remains unwavering, the Bears have the tools they need to keep Texas off balance all night.
The match will be televised on FOX Sports Southwest and FOX College Sports Central. Voice of the Bears, John Morris, will handle play-by-play duties, with former Baylor standout Kristen Schramek Bates providing analysis.
Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades is encouraging the students and Baylor fan base to turn out for the televised match and pack more than 2,000 fans into the arena to kick off Homecoming week.
WACO, Texas -- Baylor volleyball (15-5, 3-1) will square off with the 4th-ranked Texas Longhorns (13-2, 5-0) on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in the Ferrell Center.
In a battle of two of the top teams in the Big 12 this season, the Bears have a shot at downing one of the nation's top teams, making it four out of the last five weeks with a win over a top-20 RPI team.
The Bears had a lone match in the previous week, a sweep over TCU on Wednesday, Oct. 5 in the Ferrell Center.
In a season of firsts, the BU squad could add an exclamation point with a win over the Longhorns, recording the program's third win overall against Texas and the first since 2001.
The midweek match will be aired on FOX Sports Southwest and FOX College Sports Central. The on-air talent will feature the Voice of the Bears, John Morris, and former Baylor volleyball standout, Kristen Schramek Bates.
For this and all other Baylor home matches, fans can tune into the live internet video and radio broadcast on BaylorBears.com/allaccess.
Keep up with the team all season long by following Baylor Volleyball's official accounts on Twitter (@BaylorVball), Facebook (Baylor Volleyball), Instagram (@BaylorVolleyball), and Snapchat (@BaylorVball).
MATCH INFO:
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Ferrell Center | Waco, Texas
Audio: BaylorBears.com (Paid)
Talent: Larry Little
TV: FOX Sports Southwest / FOX College Sports Central
Talent: John Morris and Kristen Bates
Live Stats: BaylorBears.com
BAYLOR BEARS
2015 Record: 17-13
2016 Record: 15-5
2016 Big 12 Record: 3-1
Head Coach: Ryan McGuyre (2nd season)
All-Time Record vs. Texas: 2-77
All-Time Record vs. Texas in WACO: 2-37
TEXAS LONGHORNS
2015 Record: 30-3
2016 Record: 13-2
2016 Big 12 Record: 5-0
Head Coach: Jerritt Elliott (16th season)
#SicEm
