Texas Longhorns: Can They Turn Around a Season That’s Far from Expected?

The Texas Longhorns volleyball program has long stood as a beacon of dominance in collegiate women’s sports. With a legacy of national championships and a lineup of stars, the Longhorns were once again expected to contend for the coveted NCAA title in 2024. However, as the season progresses, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the team is underperforming—and perhaps, for the first time in years, overrated.

At 15-6, the Texas Longhorns find themselves in a perplexing position: ranked No. 14 in the country but struggling with a lackluster overall record that raises questions about their true standing in the NCAA volleyball landscape. While there are still several weeks left in the season, the current performance of the Longhorns has certainly fallen short of expectations, with their placement in the rankings not quite reflecting the gap between their talent and their results.

Expectations Were Sky High

Entering the 2024 season, the Longhorns were poised for greatness. Head coach Jerritt Elliott, who has helped build the program into a perennial powerhouse, returned with a veteran-laden roster, including several key players from the back-to-back national championship teams. With such a wealth of talent, including standout outside hitter Madisen Skinner and a strong supporting cast, Texas was expected to be one of the most feared teams in the country.

It’s easy to see why the Longhorns were predicted to contend for a third consecutive national title. They had the pieces: experienced leaders, raw talent, and a proven coach who knew how to win at the highest level. However, as the season has unfolded, it’s become increasingly apparent that things aren’t clicking for the Longhorns in the way they should.

The Disappointing Record

At 15-6, Texas’ overall record is not what fans, analysts, or even the team itself had hoped for. With 15 wins, it’s clear that the Longhorns have had some success, but the six losses are a glaring red flag, especially when compared to other top-ranked teams. The Longhorns’ current record ranks them among the worst in the top 25 teams, which is a far cry from what many expected heading into the season.

The disparity between Texas’ talent and their results is evident in their struggles against both ranked and unranked opponents. While their performances have not been disastrous, they have certainly failed to dominate as they have in previous years.

A Surprising Ranking

Despite their disappointing record, Texas remains ranked No. 14 in the nation—a position that seems somewhat generous when considering the performances on the court. For example, teams like No. 16 Minnesota (17-9), No. 19 Utah (21-5), and No. 20 Florida (19-5) have all posted stronger records than the Longhorns, yet Texas sits above them in the rankings.

Of course, rankings are not solely based on win-loss records. Strength of schedule, performance in key matches, and a variety of other factors play into the rankings. However, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Texas’ inconsistency this season has raised doubts about their ranking. At this point in the season, their performance has hardly matched the hype.

The SEC Factor

Texas plays in one of the toughest conferences in college volleyball, the Big 12, but their record within their conference—10-3—leaves much to be desired. The Longhorns have faced some formidable opponents, but their 10-3 conference record doesn’t speak to the dominant team many expected them to be. While it’s not a terrible record, it doesn’t reflect the top-tier team the Longhorns have historically been.

Meanwhile, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) continues to build its reputation as one of the strongest conferences in women’s college volleyball. Teams like Kentucky, ranked No. 13 in the country, have proven their mettle in this competitive environment. Despite Kentucky’s 17-7 overall record, they’ve earned a 12-2 conference record, further establishing their dominance in the SEC.

The fact that Texas was able to sweep Kentucky in a three-set victory, despite the Wildcats being the more consistent team throughout the season, is perhaps the one bright spot in their campaign. It’s this sort of win that has kept the Longhorns afloat in the rankings. However, as the season wears on, the question remains: can the Longhorns continue to rely on single impressive victories while failing to secure consistent dominance across the board?

Coaching and Player Development: A Work in Progress

Head coach Jerritt Elliott, who has been at the helm of Texas’ volleyball program for years, is one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the country. His ability to develop talent and lead teams to success is unquestioned, but this season, it’s clear that something isn’t working. There are signs of frustration from both players and fans, and the lack of cohesion on the court has left many wondering whether the Longhorns will be able to turn things around in time for the postseason.

A major part of Texas’ struggles this season can be attributed to inconsistency in individual performances. While players like Skinner have had flashes of brilliance, the team as a whole has not consistently played to its full potential. There have been issues with passing, blocking, and overall team chemistry that have held them back from reaching the level of performance they’re capable of.

Skinner, one of the team’s most reliable players, has been a standout in individual matches, but the rest of the team has been unable to consistently rise to the occasion in key moments. There are times when the Longhorns look like the powerhouse they are known to be, but those moments have been too few and far between this season.

The Road Ahead

As the postseason looms closer, the Longhorns find themselves at a critical juncture. If they want to maintain their position among the top teams in the nation and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament, significant improvements are needed. Coach Elliott and his staff will need to address the team’s inconsistencies and find a way to get their talented roster firing on all cylinders.

While Texas remains a top-15 team, their disappointing record and lackluster performances this season have put their ranking into question. If they can find a way to put things together and build some momentum heading into the postseason, they may yet be able to salvage their season. However, if the struggles continue, the Longhorns’ postseason run will likely be shorter than expected—and for the first time in years, their status as one of the nation’s elite teams may need to be reevaluated.

As we look toward the final stretch of the season, one thing is certain: the Texas Longhorns volleyball team’s future is in their hands. Whether they rise to the occasion or fall short of expectations remains to be seen. But if the current state of play continues, this might just be the year that the Longhorns find themselves out of the conversation for a national title.