Texas storms to Elite Eight, roster depth on full display
Swift sweep, clear message
Texas volleyball slammed the door on Indiana tonight in Austin. The Longhorns swept the Sweet 16, 3 to 0, and punched their ticket to the Elite Eight. It was fast, loud, and ruthless inside Gregory Gym. The roster looked built for this stage, and it played like it. Texas is now 25 and 3.
Torrey Stafford was the star of the night. The junior outside hitter landed 19 kills with zero errors. She hit .679 and drove the match from the first serve. Setter Ella Swindle kept the offense in rhythm and in system. Texas hit .374 as a team and out-blocked Indiana 12 to 2. The front line closed windows, and the back row cleaned up.
Stat line of the night, Torrey Stafford, 19 kills, 0 errors, .679 hitting, eight digs, four blocks, two assists.
Whitney Lauenstein, the redshirt senior transfer, gave Texas a second hammer on the pin. She added six kills and four blocks and forced Indiana to honor both antennas. Middle presence came in waves, with Nya Bunton sealing lanes and getting touches that turned into points. The balance was obvious. Texas changed speeds, spread the ball, and never let the Hoosiers breathe.
The roster that wins in December
This is why the roster matters in the postseason. Texas can win ugly or win pretty. Tonight, it won both ways. When Stafford caught fire, Swindle fed her. When Indiana shaded that side, Lauenstein punished the gap. The middles blocked line and took away tips. The libero unit held first contact steady and allowed the playbook to stay open.
Head coach Jerritt Elliott has levers he trusts. He can go bigger at the net. He can add serve pressure. He can switch passing looks and still keep tempo. That is veteran depth. That is transfer impact. That is the rise of young pieces who now look ready for the moment.
- Keys from the sweep:
- First contact held, which let Swindle run the middle and the pipe.
- Pins scored efficiently, which kept blocks honest.
- The block defended the line and loaded late, which stuffed the Hoosiers.
- The bench gave real minutes, which kept legs fresh.
New arena, new ceiling
Tonight’s win arrived with major off-court news. Texas announced plans for a new 6,000 seat volleyball arena near the Moody Center, with adjacent athlete housing. The target is the 2029 season. The university has invited private developer proposals, due February 6, 2026. The message is as loud as the student section. Volleyball is getting a purpose built home in Austin.
Gregory Gym is beloved, and it roared again tonight. Still, a modern arena changes the game. More seats, more resources, and player housing next door. That is recruiting power. That is year round development space. That is a clear vision for the next decade of Texas volleyball.
Facility timeline, proposals due February 6, 2026. Target opening, 2029 season. Capacity, 6,000 seats plus adjacent athlete housing.
What comes next on the floor
Texas advances to the regional final and will face the winner of Stanford or Wisconsin. That is blue blood company. The Longhorns have the look of a team built for that fight. The serve game will be huge. If Texas keeps passing at this level, Swindle will win the chess match. If the block stays this disciplined, rallies will tilt orange again.
Stafford is in peak form. Lauenstein offers size and savvy on the right. Bunton can change a set with a single rotation. The floor defense tracks tips and wipes away junk points. The numbers back it up, .374 hitting and a 12 to 2 block edge is not a fluke. It is a roster identity.
Culture, crowd, and the Longhorn standard
Gregory felt like Gregory. The band rattled, the student rows jumped, and the ball never hit the floor without a fight. That matters in December. Texas pairs skill with edge. It has confidence that comes from reps and rings, and it shows in tight points. The coming arena will honor that culture, while giving the program scale and speed for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q, What was the score and result tonight.
A, Texas swept Indiana 3 to 0 in the Sweet 16 and moved to 25 and 3.
Q, Who led the Longhorns.
A, Torrey Stafford had 19 kills with no errors and hit .679. Ella Swindle ran the show. Whitney Lauenstein added six kills and four blocks.
Q, How dominant was Texas at the net.
A, The Longhorns out blocked Indiana 12 to 2 and hit .374 as a team.
Q, What is the latest on the new arena.
A, Texas plans a 6,000 seat volleyball arena near the Moody Center with athlete housing, targeted for 2029. Developer proposals are due February 6, 2026.
Q, Who does Texas play next.
A, Texas meets the winner of Stanford or Wisconsin in the Elite Eight.
Conclusion
Texas did not just advance tonight. It announced itself again. The roster is deep, seasoned, and peaking. The new arena plan shows a program that is building for now and for what comes next. The path gets tougher from here. Texas looks ready for every step. 🏐
