You Knew The Horns Wouldn't Stay Quiet All Off-Season

Over the past few seasons, Texas has lost major talent every offseason:

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• 2021: OPP Skylar Fields, S Jhenna Gabriel, MB Brionne Butler, L Nalani Iosia, DS Sydney Petersen
• 2022: OH Logan Eggleston, L Zoe Fleck, S Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres, MB Kayla Caffey
• 2023: MB Asjia O'Neal, OPP Molly Phillips, MB Bella Bergmark, DS Carissa Barnes

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This is the reality of running an elite college volleyball program, and 2024 is no different. Heading into this offseason, the Texas coaching staff faced the graduation of its three starting pin hitters in Madisen Skinner, Jenna Wenaas, and Reagan Rutherford, in addition to the graduation of DS Keonilei Akana and the transfer of S Averi Carlson. 

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This left significant holes on the roster, especially at pin hitter and defense. The question becomes: how do you replace that lost production? Transfers? Younger players already on the roster? Incoming freshmen? The answer is typically a combination of the above, but one thing is for sure: Texas is not one to miss out on talent in the portal, and again, 2024 is no different. This year's winter portal class is headlined by some big name signings.

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The first major addition was Ramsey Gary of the Indiana Hoosiers. A 2024 All Big Ten Second Team player, she is one of the most prolific defensive players in the country and was one of the biggest names in the portal. She competed on the U21 Women's National Team this past summer alongside incoming Texas freshmen MB Taylor Harvey and OH Abby Vander Wal, as they took home gold at the NORCECA Continental Championship in Toronto. With two years of eligibility remaining, Gary will join fellow Indiana native Emma Halter to lead the Texas back row.

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The next significant roster addition was Torrey Stafford of the Pitt Panthers. She leaves what was arguably the most dangerous 1-2 hitter tandem in the nation alongside National Player of the Year Olivia Babcock. She was a significant factor in Pitt's last two National Semifinal runs as a six rotation outside both years, earning First Team All-American honors this past season. Stafford had previously trained with Ayden Ames for the USA National Team in 2022. She was also on the same Under Armour All-America Team as Ella Swindle and Ramsey Gary; the trio now reunite in Austin. Stafford joins the Longhorns with two years of eligibility remaining.

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The final roster addition was Anja Kujundzic of the VCU Rams. She started training with professional volleyball teams in Serbia at 14 years old, playing for 5 seasons in the Serbian Superliga. She then came stateside to compete at VCU, where she started as Libero both her freshman and sophomore years, earned Second Team All A-10 and A-10 All-Rookie Team selection in 2023. Kujundzic will add ball control depth to what is now a very deep Texas defense with Emma Halter, Indiana transfer Ramsey Gary, VCU transfer Anja Kujundzic, Reese Emerick, and talented freshman Callie Kreuger. Kujundzic joins the Longhorns with two years of eligibility remaining.

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These additions max out the roster at the new NCAA limit of 18 players. Unless there's any portal activity in the May transfer window, the Longhorns' 2025 roster is finalized. These outstanding pickups, combined with the #1 freshman class, will ensure that Texas will continue to have one of the most competitive gyms in the country. These players fill key positional needs for the Horns heading into the 2025 season, making them poised to return to a deep playoff run.