When playing against teams such as Texas, it’s hard not to try and find moral victories.

That is exactly what Kansas (12-15, 6-12) tried to do after Saturday night’s three-set loss (25-18, 25-11, 27-25) to the No. 4 Longhorns (23-3, 16-2).

“If we can create that kind of level against Texas then we should create that level against anyone.” Sophomore outside hitter Karina Garlington said of Kansas’ effort in the third set.

Sadly set three was the only true competitive set of the match. Texas dominated sets one and two, hitting .389 for set one and an even better .478 in set two. Although Kansas did a stand-up job on junior All-American Destinee Hooker, holding her to only nine kills at a .111 percentage, other Longhorns had big days, like Juliann Faucette’s match high 14 kills.

“We did a pretty good job, probably as well as anyone’s done all year (against Hooker),” coach Ray Bechard said. “Then Faucette had a big night.”

It is those sort of small victories within the match that Kansas can at least take with them into their final week of play.The Jayhawks also take a three match losing streak into next week. What they might not take with them is the strategy Bechard used against Texas. Bechard said he wanted to try to take away Texas’ physicality and try to match up with their superior athletes. While it helped at moments defensively, for example against Hooker, it made Kansas out of sync on offense. Once Bechard returned to his normal system in set three, that’s when Kansas became competitive.

But all is not lost in the players and coaches’ minds. Senior middle blocker Natalie Uhart understands her season is not over yet, and her last two matches still mean something.

“We want to go in and win both of them, that’s what we want to do,” she said. “That’s what will satisfy us for this season.”

Bechard also didn’t sugarcoat the Jayhawk’s post-season chances. Sitting at 6-12 in conference doesn’t exactly stand out to the NCAA tournament selection committee.

“It’s not something that’s a real possibility,” Bechard said of his team’s chances. “We understand that we put ourselves in that position.”

Which is why Bechard is looking to see how his team finishes out the season. He told his team after the match that this week is dedicated to the team’s two seniors, Uhart and fellow middle blocker Savannah Noyes.

“We have two matches left to show progress and for this group to be together.” Bechard said.

— — Edited by Ramsey Cox