So, as I am coming to realize, my problem is not k/# closing, but it tends to be the AFTERMATH!
I have had a 100% success rate at getting numbers (although I am sure that is going to chance soon)

Today was Canada Day, and seeing as how I live in Toronto. The majority of the population was at the beach. You know what that means.....

Anyways, long story short. it's me and 4 friends (5 total), and we end up finding a guy and 4 girls (5 total) playing Volleyball.
By the way they were communicating, it was clear that the poor fellow was stuck in the friend zone.

Anyways, we go up to them, and start playing 5v5, me and my friends, vs them. After we start beating them (don't like to brag but we're not too bad at Volleyball), we tell one girl and the "hottie" to come on our team.

Instead of saying stuff like: hey guys, let's mix up teams to have a more fun game? does that sound good with you?

It sounded more like this: Ok, since we're killing you guys, we'll take _____ and the "superstar" (sarcastic remark about the hottie being good at volleyball).
She smiled and came on our team

After we start playing, I wanted to make a DRAMATIC point that I didn't wanna play with her because she was bad. I paid attention to what you guys wrote earlier about not going over the top with the whole asshole/neg comments, so I focused on being funny and sarcastic, and it worked!
At one point, I made her qualify herself to drink my water, which resulted in her giving me this super cute smile that some girls give, god I love that smile
After a while, I laid off the cocky stuff and started giving her pointers in volleyball, she enjoyed them very much, and I think it resulted in the # close.

At the end of the game I tell every1: Ok guys, I am going to shake your hand because you all played amazing.
I purposely avoid the hottie, and when her turn comes to shake her hand, I give her a cold shoulder, and say "ok cya!".
She responds with saying: Good! i didn't want to shake your hand anyways!
Me: Ok, bye. *walks away*
Her: Noooo I'm kidding *runs to me* Good Game!

At this point, I see that her attractions towards me is fairly strong. So I grab my phone, grab her #, and leave to " go eat lunch with my friends".

NOW THIS IS WHERE I THINK I FUCKED UP, but not all is lost

Like a stupid idiot, I had an uncontrollable urge, and I texted her 3 hours later.

Me: Hey, it's the volleyball MVP _____.
Hottie: Sorry What? I'm pretty sure I was carrying us.
Me: That's a cute joke. Your deadly spikes kill the whole game for us. Please tell me about your other.... 'talents' lol

^ AFTER SENDING THAT TEXT, I knew I had done something stupid.
1) I should have stopped after the first text. she had my name, and she was still liking the fact that she was talking to me.
2) The 'talents' can be taken as sexual... which is pathetic on my part.

I should have waited at least 1 day or 24h to text her..... or not replied after the 1st text

ON THE OTHER HAND. Her friend (the one that came on our team with her) forgot her glasses there, and me, being the observing dude I am, I am in possession of them.

Now, I am thinking of texting her, and deciding to meet up so I can hand her the glasses, by starting with:

Me: Hey, you'll never believe what happened to me!!
Her: Omggggg whaaaatttt :$
Me: I found ur friend's glasses! etc.......

Then set-up a date to hang out, and give her the glasses in the end, or tell her I forget them at my house, go there and.....

OR, I could try gaming her, and then giving her the glasses unexpectedly. thoughts on this? Any ideas for a good texting opener?
She didn't reply to my last text....

The reason she didn't respond was you threw up a huge hoop for her to go through. It was like forcing her to qualify herself way to early in the conversation. Think if someone you didn't know asked you that would you answer? It also made it seem like you are a little desperate/cocky. How you are asking her about what talents she has shows a little too much interest. You texting her in 3 hours wasn't a bad move. I would say that you texting her sooner than later might actually been better for you. The longer you wait the more the girls feelings and memories fade. Most guys think that by waiting longer it shows that you don't have more options. Yea it does, but if she does not remember who you are. and how you made her feel it does not matter now does it? I have found texting or calling them same day builds comfort a lot more than not, and it makes you a memorable person; not just that guy I gave my number to. The longer they have to wait the more they feel like they just got picked up and no girl likes that feeling. I say get her to comfortable with talking to you before you go, and try to get her on day 2. Most guys get denied when they attempt to just go straight from pickup to a day 2 "Hey this is such and such. I enjoyed your company. Want to go to such and such." This is the general guys txt to a girl. This doesn't work that well. To typical remember PUAs are the exception.

After taking everyone's advice, I can safely say my texting has slightly improved

No more asshole / making girls prove themselves too early, too much