Texas Longhorns Volleyball Opens Season with Victory over Creighton

Madison, Wisconsin, August 30, 2025

News Summary

The Texas Longhorns volleyball team began the season successfully by defeating No. 12 Creighton in straight sets at the Opening Spike Classic. With impressive performances from transfer Torrey Stafford and several freshmen, Texas showcased their talent and determination to improve following last season’s challenges. The victory marks a significant step as they aim for a competitive season ahead, including an upcoming match against Wisconsin.

Madison, Wisconsin – The Texas Longhorns volleyball team commenced its 2025 season with a strong performance, defeating No. 12 Creighton in straight sets, showcasing their capabilities in a rematch following their prior NCAA Tournament loss to the same team. The match concluded with set scores of 25-21, 25-19, and 26-24, emphasizing Texas’ determination as they kick off the new season ranked No. 5 in the AVCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The game was part of the Opening Spike Classic, held at the Kohl Center in Madison, where Texas aimed to reclaim their standing after a disappointing 20-7 finish last season. The Longhorns aimed to make an impact with numerous roster changes, including eight newcomers and the defeat of 12 departing players, marking a significant transition phase for the team.

Transfer athlete Torrey Stafford, who joined from Pittsburgh, was pivotal to Texas’ success, leading the match with a total of 12 kills and 15 digs. Freshmen players Abby Vander Wal, Cari Spears, and Taylor Harvey supported the effort, contributing 10, 8, and 1 kills respectively. Notably, Taylor Harvey delivered the crucial match-clinching ace, sealing the victory for Texas.

The Longhorns registered four aces with three service errors, while Creighton posted four aces but struggled with seven service errors. Texas’ defensive strategy was bolstered by Ayden Ames, who secured four blocks, further highlighting the team’s effective performance.

Throughout their historical matchups, Texas and Creighton have met thrice, with Texas claiming victory in the initial encounter while Creighton triumphed in the latest tournament setting. Looking ahead, Texas is set to challenge the host team Wisconsin, ranked No. 8, in their next match on Sunday, gearing up for a competitive season.

Torrey Stafford’s and Emma Halter’s integrity on the court has been recognized, as both were named to the All-SEC First Team for the season. This acknowledgment is a testament to Texas being one of five SEC teams currently ranked within the top 25, emphasizing their strength within the league.

Coach Jerritt Elliott has stressed the importance of upholding the Longhorns’ high-level expectations and aspirations for a national championship. Texas maintains a commendable track record, having concluded each of the last 19 seasons in the top 10 with three national championship victories in the last 20 years. The match against Creighton not only served as a crucial victory but also presented significant development opportunities for the team’s freshmen under challenging conditions.

Upcoming Matches

Texas will face off against Wisconsin, aiming to maintain their momentum and display their adaptability on the court.

Key Players from the Match

• Torrey Stafford: 12 kills, 15 digs
• Abby Vander Wal: 10 kills
• Cari Spears: 8 kills
• Taylor Harvey: 1 kill, match-clinching ace
• Ayden Ames: 4 blocks

Historical Context

The Longhorns are on a journey to return to their traditional championship level of performance after recent ups and downs, working diligently to exploit their roster’s potential and foster player growth as they head into the heart of the season.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Austin High School Volleyball Team Dominates Tournament
Torrey Stafford Shines in Texas Volleyball Preseason Scrimmage
Ten Former University of Texas Student-Athletes Inducted
Longhorns and Tigers Set to Clash in NCAA Super Regional
Austin Longhorns Prepare for NCAA Volleyball Tournament Showdown Against A&M-Corpus Christi
Austin Set to Host NCAA Volleyball Championship: Matchups, Tickets, and More!
Starkville Set for Thrilling Volleyball Showdown as Texas Longhorns Face Mississippi State Bulldogs
Starkville Thrills: Longhorns Volleyball Scores Big Against Mississippi State
Longhorns Volleyball Falls to Missouri in Thrilling Five-Set Match
Austin Volleyball Showdown: Longhorns Suffer Heartbreaking Five-Set Defeat to Oklahoma Sooners

Additional Resources

• Austin American-Statesman
• Wikipedia: Texas Longhorns
• Burnt Orange Nation
• Google Search: Texas Longhorns Volleyball
• The Daily Texan
• Google Scholar: Texas Volleyball
• Texas Longhorns Official Site
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Volleyball
• KVUE News
• Google News: Texas Volleyball

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