The Texas Longhorns Volleyball team is gearing up to take on Alabama in an exciting match this Sunday. The Longhorns, with a record of 14-6, will face off against Alabama, who has a record of 11-12. The match will be held at Foster Auditorium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and will be broadcasted on ESPN.
This season, the Longhorns have had an impressive winning streak, winning nine consecutive matches, including the first seven SEC matches. During this streak, Texas showcased outstanding performance, hitting .300 and averaging 14.13 kills per set, 13.07 assists per set, and 2.82 blocks per set. Overall, Texas is hitting .267 for the season and averaging 13.24 kills per set, 12.25 assists per set, and 2.56 blocks per set.
One standout player for the Longhorns has been middle blocker Marianna Singletary, who has had a dominant stretch of matches. Singletary was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for three consecutive weeks and also earned the league’s Player of the Week title twice during that period. She currently has 109 total blocks and ranks 12th in the nation with 1.49 blocks per set. Singletary also boasts 130 kills and a .323 hitting percentage for the season.
The Longhorns have been making waves in the SEC after transitioning to a new era in the conference. They started off strong by winning their first seven league matches. Texas has a rich history of conference dominance, with 29 all-time league championships, including 16 Big 12 titles and 13 Southwest Conference Championships.
As the reigning National Champions, the Longhorns have returned five starters from the championship-winning team, including NCAA Final Four All-Tournament team members Madisen Skinner, Ella Swindle, and Emma Halter. The program secured its fifth National Championship after sweeping Nebraska in the 2023 title match.
Three Longhorn players, Reagan Rutherford, Madisen Skinner, and Marianna Singletary, have been named to the AVCA Division I National Player of the Year watch list. The trio is among 49 players from 25 schools on the watch list, with the final Player of the Year set to be announced in December.
Madisen Skinner, a standout player for the Longhorns, has cemented herself as one of the best in the country. With over 1,700 career kills, Skinner ranks 13th in career kills amongst active Division I players. Last season, she ranked sixth nationally with 4.80 kills per set and was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
The Longhorns have been dominant on the road, winning 47 of their last 52 road matches dating back to the 2019 season. Additionally, the team has a strong record against ranked opponents, boasting a 158-61 record over the last 21 seasons.
Ranked first in the SEC Coaches’ Poll, Texas is one of four SEC teams in the top-25, along with Kentucky, Florida, and Missouri. The Longhorns have faced tough competition in non-conference play, going up against nationally ranked teams like Wisconsin, Minnesota, Stanford, and Baylor.
In addition to their on-court success, head coach Jerritt Elliott was inducted into USA Volleyball’s Hall of Fame in 2023. Elliott is the winningest coach in Texas Volleyball history, with 561 wins at Texas.
The Longhorns have a legacy of producing All-American middle blockers, with players like Leticia Armstrong, Brandy Magee, and more leaving their mark on the program. Following the graduation of All-American Asjia O’Neal, young players like Ayden Ames and Marianna Singletary are ready to continue the tradition of excellence in the middle blocker position for Texas. The team looks forward to a competitive match against Alabama as they strive for continued success in the season.
