WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court is questioning the University of Texas' use of race in college admissions in a case that could lead to new limits on affirmative action.

The justices heard arguments Wednesday in a challenge to the program from a white Texan who claims she was discriminated against when the university did not offer her a spot in 2008.

The court's conservatives cast doubt on the program that uses race as one among many factors in admitting about a quarter of the university's incoming freshmen.

Justice Anthony Kennedy at one point said Texas was arguing that race counts "above all." Kennedy's vote could be critical to the outcome.

Twenty-two-year-old Abigail Fisher was among the hundreds of spectators at the arguments.