Notes from the Program and Catching up with Ayden

Here are some random notes about the program early in the Winter Semester:

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*As I had a gut (a big one) feeling this is going to be a special Freshman Class in more ways than just talent.  Early reports from program sources are nothing, but positive that this group "looks really good" and is a great "culture fit".

From a complete outsiders view, at the end of last season I really felt like the staff was going to be so excited to get this young team in and work with them and be able to mold them.  Like very talented fresh clay.  I have interviewed all of the class, while they were at the Club Level and each one of them were some of my favorite in the country to talk with.  Texas fans are getting talent and high-quality young athletes and I know that is a term that is way overused in press conferences for PR purposes, but if you know me I don't say things for PR purposes, I really, really like the character of these Freshman.

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*On the trail:  Longhorn coaches were very noticeable at the USA VB NTDP and the first two days of the Triple Crown NIT Tourney this past weekend.  Especially David Hunt and Reily Buechler Canter.  We will get way more in depth on possible targets as Spring goes on, but they didn't stray far from the Championship Courts.  With the abundance of youth on next Fall's squad and an extremely talented 2028 Class, you have to assume their list is selective and narrow for 2027.

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*Vander Wal shining brightest?  It is so early and not much volleyball has been played and I can't imagine what a learning curve the Frosh are still going through....that being said I have heard that 1st Alliance OH Abby Vander Wal has looked really good so far.  Now that and $8 will get you frapachino at Starbucks, but she does have all the little intricacies in her game to come in and look good early so I can see that from Vander Wal.

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*Ames feels great and loves her team:  I was able to catch up "one of the old ladies on the squad" Soph MB Ayden Ames briefly this week (for another matter) and I did ask her how things were going.  "It felt so refreshing coming back in January and this Freshman class is amazing.  Evan the transfers we added, everyone is working together and helping each other.  Things just feel so cohesive."  I asked if she felt like one of the leaders or vets now even though she is only a Sophomore?  "You know I really do, I just feel so much better coming back and with this group being able to lead.  That Freshman group is special they are great though and our new transfers like I said they have adapted so well."

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*Swindle a star in KC:  Ella Swindle and other LOVB sponsored athletes attended the Triple Crown event as well.  They were there as part of PR event to take pictures and sign autographs.  The last two days Nebraska athletes came and did the same thing.  Maybe I'm bias because she is one of my favorite players in college volleyball, because of her character, but Ella was by far the most popular athlete of the four days.  Her story of character, leadership, class and redemption could be THEE story of college volleyball in 2025.

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Darren Tipton

VBAdrenaline.com