No. 2 Faces Upset Alert vs. Marquette in Season Opener
Texas Longhorns Volleyball: 2026 Season Preview & Opening Match Guide
ELI5 Note: Think of this like a "season trailer" for one of college volleyball’s most successful teams. We’ll break down who they’re playing, why they’re ranked so high, which players are superstars, and all the cool records they keep breaking.
The Big Match: Texas vs. Marquette
Everything you need to know about the season opener:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | No. 2 Texas vs. RV Marquette |
| Records | Texas: 0-1 | Marquette: 0-0 |
| Date & Time | Monday, August 24 – 7:00 p.m. CT |
| Location | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| TV | FS2 |
| Special Event | Finale of AVCA First Serve tournament |
Why This Match Matters
- First regular-season meeting in program history (Texas won their only previous matchup in the 2022 NCAA Regional Semifinals)
- Neutral-site showdown in an NBA arena (home of the Milwaukee Bucks)
- Early test against a solid Marquette program
Where Texas Stands: Rankings & Preseason Honors
National Rankings
- No. 2 in AVCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll (behind No. 1 Nebraska)
- 20th consecutive season in the preseason top 5 — that’s two decades of excellence!
- 12 times in the last 18 polls ranked No. 1 or No. 2
- Received one first-place vote this year
Conference Expectations
- Picked 2nd in SEC Preseason Poll (just 2 points behind Kentucky)
- Earned six first-place votes from SEC coaches
- Preseason All-SEC Team: Two Longhorns made the cut (keep reading!)
IMPORTANT POINT: Being ranked No. 2 doesn’t guarantee wins — it just means experts expect greatness. The team still has to prove it on the court!
Stars to Watch: Returning All-Americans
Torrey Stafford — Senior Leader
The veteran superstar entering her final season:
- 2025 Stats: 516 kills, 33 service aces, 580.5 points (team highs in all three!)
- Honors: Two-time AVCA First-Team All-American, 2025 Southwest Region Player of the Year
- Summer 2025: Trained with U.S. Women’s National Team — like getting a masterclass from Olympic coaches
- Watch Lists: AVCA National Player of the Year Preseason Watch List (3rd straight year)
Cari Spears — Sophomore Sensation
The rising star who burst onto the scene as a freshman:
- 2025 Stats: 358 kills, 3.25 kills/set, .295 hitting percentage
- Historic Feat: First Texas freshman ever to win AVCA National Player of the Week
- Honors: AVCA Third-Team All-American, Southwest Region Freshman of the Year
- Watch Lists: AVCA Player of the Year Preseason Watch List (first selection)
KEY DUO: Stafford (power + experience) + Spears (youth + explosiveness) = one of the nation’s best 1-2 punches!
Fresh Faces: Newcomers Making Waves
Henley Anderson & Genevieve Harris
Two freshmen with international gold medals already on their resumes:
| Player | Summer 2025 Achievement |
|---|---|
| Henley Anderson | • Started 4 of 5 matches for U.S. U21 National Team at Pan American Cup • Scored 9 points in gold-medal match • 2025 FIVB U21 World Championship participant • Best Opposite at 2025 FIVB Girls U19 World Championship |
| Genevieve Harris | • Helped direct U.S. offense as setter for gold-medal winning U21 team • Perfect 5-0 record at Pan American Cup |
ELI5: These aren’t just "promising freshmen" — they’ve already beaten the world’s best at their age level wearing USA jerseys.
USA Volleyball Experience: Five Longhorns, One Summer
Texas players represented the Red, White & Blue at the highest levels:
| Player | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Torrey Stafford | U.S. Women’s National Team (training) | Elite development camp |
| Henley Anderson | U.S. U21 National Team | Gold Medal (5-0) |
| Genevieve Harris | U.S. U21 National Team | Gold Medal (5-0) |
| Taylor Harvey | U.S. U21 National Team | Gold Medal (5-0) |
| Abby Vander Wal | U.S. U21 National Team | Gold Medal (5-0) |
Translation: Texas doesn’t just recruit good players — they develop international-caliber athletes.
New Leader on Defense: Ramsey Gary Takes the Reins
Big shoes to fill: Three-year starter and All-American Emma Halter graduated.
Enter Ramsey Gary:
- Senior transfer from Indiana (second season at Texas)
- Two-time All-Big Ten selection
- Two-time all-region honoree
- Now anchors the back row as libero (defensive specialist who wears a different colored jersey)
FUN FACT: The libero position is like a "defensive quarterback" — they can’t attack the ball above the net but are the team’s best passer and digger.
Last Year’s Dominance: By The Numbers
Texas offense was ELITE in 2025 — top 4 nationally in THREE major categories:
| Category | National Rank | Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Assists per set | 3rd | 13.78 |
| Hitting percentage | 4th | .315 |
| Kills per set | 3rd | 14.75 |
SEC Leadership:
- #1 in hitting percentage
- #2 in assists per set
- #2 in kills per set
Schedule Strength:
- Played nation’s toughest schedule (opponents: 590-269, .687 winning %)
- Finished No. 2 in RPI (Rating Percentage Index — the NCAA’s strength metric)
Home & Away Fortresses
Road Warriors
- 61 of last 64 true road matches WON (since 2019)
- 13-0 in true road SEC matches before first loss at Texas A&M (Oct. 31, 2025)
- Since 2011: 135-24 (.849) on the road — only 7 losses to unranked teams!
Home Sweet Home (Gregory Gym & Moody Center)
- 55 consecutive sellouts (dating to 2022)
- 2025 Attendance: 67,149 total (5th nationally, 1st in SEC)
- Average: 4,477 fans/match (6th nationally)
- Records Broken:
- Gregory Gym: 5,344 vs. Ohio State (2022 NCAA Regional Final)
- Program/State Record: 10,899 vs. Stanford at Moody Center (2025)
- 11th-largest crowd in all of 2025 college volleyball
- 8th-largest for a regular-season match
A Legacy of Excellence: The "Model of Consistency"
Texas Volleyball isn’t just good — it’s historically, absurdly consistent:
| Streak / Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| AVCA Top 10 finishes | 20 straight seasons — only D-I program to do this |
| Top 5 finishes | 16 of last 19 seasons (including 11 straight from 2008-18) |
| NCAA Sweet 16 appearances | 20 consecutive seasons (nation’s longest active streak) |
| Elite 8 appearances | 19 of last 20 seasons |
| Final Four appearances | 12 of last 20 seasons |
| National Championship matches | 8 of last 20 seasons |
MIND-BLOWING CONTEXT: Most programs dream of one Final Four. Texas has made 12 in 20 years.
Longhorns in the Pros: 12 Former Players Competing in USA Leagues
LOVB (League One Volleyball)
| Team | Former Longhorns |
|---|---|
| Austin | Bella Bergmark, Juliann Faucette, Molly McCage, Asjia O’Neal, Madisen Skinner |
| Atlanta | Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres |
| Miami | Khat Bell |
| Nebraska | Regan Rutherford |
Major League Volleyball (MLV)
| Team | Former Longhorns |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Vibe | Zoe Jarvis |
| Indy Ignite | Emma Halter |
| Minnesota Forge | Jenna Wenaas |
| Vegas Thrill | Kayla Caffey |
Translation: Texas is a pro volleyball factory.
Hall of Honor & Special Stories
Khat Bell — Texas Athletics Hall of Honor Class of 2026
- Three-time All-American
- 2012 NCAA Champion + 4 straight Big 12 titles (2011-14)
- 827 career kills, 436 total blocks
- 10+ year pro career — still going strong!
Mackenzie Collins — The Two-Sport Longhorn
- Volleyball rookie + Track & Field hurdler
- Advanced to NCAA Outdoor Championships as freshman (2025)
- Imagine practicing spikes in the morning, hurdles in the afternoon!
Volleyball-Basketball Family Tree
| Volleyball Player | Basketball Connection |
|---|---|
| Torrey Stafford | Sister: Imani McGee-Stafford (Texas WBB 2012-16, 3× All-Big 12, WNBA 10th overall pick) |
| Cari Spears | Brother: Marcus Spears (Freshman on Texas Men’s Basketball) |
| Camille Presley | Brother: Malik Presley (Texas Men’s Basketball 2024-25) |
The Hawaii → Texas Pipeline
Eight players since 2007 have made the 3,800-mile journey from Honolulu to the Forty Acres:
- Sydney Yogi (2008-11)
- Sarah Palmer (2010-13)
- Kat Brooks (2012-15)
- Jhenna Gabriel (2018-21)
- Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres (2021-22)
- Keonilei Akana (2022-24)
- Devin Kahahawai (2022-25)
- Rella Binney (2024-present)
Summary: What to Expect in 2026
- Championship expectations — No. 2 ranking, returning stars, elite freshmen
- High-powered offense — Led by Stafford & Spears, backed by national-team setters
- Stingy defense — New libero Gary has Big Ten pedigree
- Battle-tested schedule — Toughest in nation last year, likely similar this year
- Packed houses — 55+ sellout streak continues at Gregory Gym & Moody Center
- History on the line — Extend 20-year Sweet 16 streak, chase 21st straight top-10 finish
Bottom line: Texas Volleyball isn’t rebuilding — it’s reloading for another title run.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. What does "RV" mean next to Marquette?
RV = "Receiving Votes" in the AVCA poll. They didn’t crack the top 25 but got some votes from coaches — a "just missed" team.
2. Why does the libero wear a different jersey?
The libero is a defensive specialist with special rules: they can substitute freely (without counting against team subs), can’t attack the ball above the net, and can’t serve in NCAA women’s volleyball (though they can in international rules). The different jersey helps referees track their unique substitutions.
3. How does the AVCA poll work?
AVCA = American Volleyball Coaches Association. Head coaches from around the country vote weekly on the top 25 teams. The preseason poll sets initial expectations, but the in-season polls matter more for NCAA tournament seeding.
4. What’s the difference between LOVB and Major League Volleyball?
Both are professional women’s volleyball leagues in the U.S. launching around the same time:
- LOVB (League One Volleyball) — community-focused, tied to junior clubs
- MLV (Major League Volleyball) — city-based franchises, traditional pro model
Having 12 Longhorns across both leagues shows Texas produces pro-ready talent.
5. When is Texas’s first home match?
The content provided doesn’t specify the home opener date — but with a 55-match sellout streak, tickets will go fast! Check texaslonghorns.com for the full 2026 schedule.
Final Thought: Whether you’re a die-hard Longhorn fan or new to volleyball, the 2026 Texas team has all the ingredients for a special season: superstars, depth, coaching, history, and a fanbase that shows up. Hook ’em!