Amid all of the senior night festivities and the emotions that came with it, the youngest Longhorn decided to pay tribute to the four seniors in more than one way.
While Juliann Faucette helped her team clinch a share of the Big 12 Championship with 19 kills, 11 digs and a .500 hitting percentage in what was arguably her most consistent effort of the season, the freshman outside hitter fulfilled another promise to her senior teammates.
Faucette busted out her vocal talents, singing a rousing national anthem before the match against Kansas State. Despite the added spotlight, Faucette said she wasn't fazed and that she had sung "The Star-Spangled Banner" at football and volleyball games in high school.
"I actually wasn't that nervous," she said. "You could tell at the beginning I had some jitters in me, but I got them out."
Senior setter Michelle Moriarty said the freshman told the seniors that her singing would be their senior gift.
"She promised us that at the beginning of the year," Moriarty said. "She was up for it."
But Faucette's on-court contributions were just as important. After the Longhorns struggled in game one, hitting just .281 as a team with a 68 percent sideout rate, Faucette exploded in game two with nine kills and no attack errors.
"I just felt really connected with everyone on the team," Faucette said. "I was just mentally prepared and not concerned with errors."
She came up big again late in game three. Faucette was pulled so senior Jen Christian could see playing time with Texas leading 26-19. Kansas state rallied and cut the Longhorns' lead to 27-24. Head coach Jerritt Elliott subbed Faucette back in, and she responded with a powerful kill to swing the momentum back into Texas' favor.
"She's been carrying a huge load for us," Elliott said. "When the game's on the line I have a lot of faith in her."
Christian was able to get back onto the court, and all four seniors - Christian, Moriarty, middle blocker Brandy Magee and libero Alyson Jennings - were able to finish up their last regular season on the court together.
Elliott said it wasn't just an emotional match for the players.
"I tried not to cry during the [pre-game]," Elliott said. "These girls have given everything they have, and they've embodied everything this program is about. It means so much to me, and I'm just so happy they get to leave a legacy with their name up on a banner."
For Moriarty and the rest of the seniors, winning the Big 12 Championship has been their No. 1 goal since they set foot on the 40 Acres in 2004.
"For four years now, that's what we've been working for, and to finally get it is amazing," Moriarty said.
One conference championship down, a national trophy to go.
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