No. 2 Texas Sweeps Georgia Before Record Crowd at Stegeman Coliseum
Longhorns Extend Unbeaten Streak
ATHENS, Ga. – The second-ranked Texas Longhorns continued their dominance Wednesday night, sweeping Georgia in straight sets (25-17, 25-21, 25-20) before a season-high 4,518 fans at Stegeman Coliseum. With the victory, Texas improved to 11-0 overall and 3-0 in SEC play, while Georgia dropped to 8-5 and remains winless in conference action at 0-3.
The win marked Texas’ sixth consecutive sweep and its second straight season with six or more sweeps in a row. While Georgia managed to apply pressure with its blocking and adjustments at the net, the Longhorns’ balance and offensive firepower once again proved decisive. Texas hit .358 as a team, with three hitters finishing above .400, and produced 40 kills compared to Georgia’s 34.
Georgia Pushes Early
The Bulldogs opened the match with confidence, spurred on by their home crowd and eager to test themselves against one of the nation’s best programs. Junior outside hitter Bianna Muoneke led the effort with 14 kills on .286 hitting and just missed a double-double with nine digs. Her second-set surge, in which she scored seven kills, was Georgia’s strongest offensive highlight of the night.
Senior Adriana Rhoda, earning her first start of the season, provided 11 kills on .286 efficiency while also contributing four blocks. Redshirt junior Tori Harper anchored the blocking unit with five, while freshman Emma Bryson added three. The Bulldogs actually out-blocked Texas 10-5, showing resilience on defense even when under constant pressure.
Setter Kaiya Tyson distributed a season-best 28 assists and added five digs along with Georgia’s only service ace of the match. Her ability to diversify Georgia’s offense kept the Bulldogs competitive, especially in the second and third sets. Despite the defeat, Georgia displayed growth and composure compared to its previous SEC matches.
Texas Stars Shine
For Texas, the sweep was another demonstration of why the program has remained near the top of the national rankings. Freshman Cari Spears led the team with 15 kills, setting the tone with consistent power and accuracy. Junior Torrey Stafford added her sixth double-double of the season with 14 kills and 11 digs, showcasing her all-around ability to impact both sides of play. Freshman Abby Vander Wal chipped in 11 kills, giving the Longhorns three players in double figures.
Setter Ella Swindle once again controlled the offense with poise, finishing with 37 assists and eight digs. It was her fourth consecutive match with at least 30 assists, underscoring her reliability at the heart of Texas’ system. The Longhorns also celebrated career milestones as sophomore Rella Binney recorded her 100th career assist and Ayden Ames registered her 200th career kill, further highlighting the program’s depth of young talent.
Set-by-Set Breakdown
In the opening set, Texas quickly established control, producing 18 kills while holding Georgia to just .152 hitting. After building a 10-6 lead, the Longhorns kept extending their advantage and closed out the frame 25-17 with relative ease.
The second set provided the most drama of the night. Georgia used off-speed shots and tactical placements to challenge Texas’ block, managing to tie the score on nine occasions. Muoneke and Rhoda combined for timely kills that brought Georgia within one at 20-19. Texas, however, responded with a decisive push, closing on a 5-1 run to secure the set 25-21 and silence the building momentum inside Stegeman Coliseum.
In the third set, Georgia briefly seized control with a 15-13 lead that forced Texas into a timeout. The Bulldogs looked poised to extend the match, but Vander Wal’s late burst swung the balance back in Texas’ favor. The Longhorns closed on a 12-5 run to claim the set 25-20 and complete their sixth consecutive sweep.
Georgia’s Takeaway
While Georgia could not claim a set, there were encouraging signs for head coach Tom Black’s team. Muoneke’s attacking efficiency and Rhoda’s return to the lineup gave the Bulldogs a reliable one-two punch, while Harper’s blocking set the defensive tone at the net. Georgia’s ability to out-block Texas and stay within reach in the second and third sets showed progress and suggested that the Bulldogs can compete with the SEC’s best if they maintain consistency.
Looking Ahead
Georgia will take to the road for its next matchup against South Carolina on Sunday, October 5, with first serve scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on SEC Network. The Bulldogs will aim to translate their defensive strengths into their first conference win of the season.
Texas continues its road trip with a visit to Mississippi State on October 5. The Longhorns remain unbeaten at 11-0 and are closing in on their best start since 2022, when they opened the year 14-0. With a roster that combines veteran experience and young star power, Texas looks well-positioned to extend its streak deep into the SEC season and maintain its place among the nation’s elite contenders.








