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Texas Top 10: Here’s how the state’s college volleyball programs stack up

Texas setter Ella Swindle celebrates after a point during a match against Kentucky on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the University of Texas athletics)

By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

The Austin Sports Journal will release its 2025 Austin Volleyball Preview on Thursday, Aug. 7.

This 76-page publication will preview the Texas college season with previews of 13 Division I programs, along with an in-depth look at the Austin area high school season with previews of all 82 schools in our coverage area. It will be available digitally three days early exclusively to All-Access and seasonal all-access subscribers.

We are printing a limited number of hard copies for anyone that pre-orders the magazine prior to July 25.

To preview the 2025 season, we will release selected content to readers each week prior to the release.

Here is a look at the 20 best Division I college teams in Texas for 2025:

Texas Top 10

1. Texas (20-7, 13-3 SEC): The SEC champs reload around setter Ella Swindle, MB Ayden Ames and blue-chip OH Abby Vander Wal. Nothing less than a national-title push will satisfy Austin.

2. Baylor (23-8, 14-4 Big XII): JJ Van Niel’s turbo offense returns six starters, including 6-3 OH Kendall Murphy, and welcomes Florida transfer MB Gabrielle Essix to keep the tempo blazing.

3. Texas A&M (21-8, 10-6 SEC): Sweet-16 breakthrough returns 490-kill OPP Logan Lednicky and Austin High alum OH Brooke Jeffrey; block anchors Ifenna Cos-Okpalla/Morgan Perkins.

4. SMU (30-6. 16-4 ACC): The Mustangs offense got a big boost with the addition of Texas transfer Averi Carlson. The early addition of Christa Wilburn from Dripping Springs High School adds to the offensive firepower. Mustangs look ready to defend their league crown.

5. TCU (22-8, 13-5 Big XII): Frogs had a historic run in 2024 and keep 6-2 OH Jaylyn Gibson and 6-3 OH Becca Kelley. TCU is a Big 12 dark horse again.

6. Rice (19-8, 13-3 AAC): The Owls’ floor defense remains elite with libero Gaby Mansfield while Rouse alumni Savannah Skopal looks to build on a stellar freshman year and have the Owls in contention for the AAC championship.

7. UTEP (27-6, 16-2 CUSA): All-American MB Kaya Weaver (.439) pairs with 295-kill OH Torrance Lovesee; serve-and-block identity could yield back-to-back NCAA bids.

8. SFA (24-9, 14-2 Southland): The Ladyjacks have a lot of depth and returns with senior OH Camryn Hill (3.21 k/s), libero Natalie Guerrero (353 digs) and 6-1 middle Katherine Holtman.

9. Texas State (22-8, 9-3 Sun Belt): Sun Belt champs return first-team all-league OH Samantha Wusch, a Vandegrift alumnae, and dig-machine libero Maggie Walsh as they aim for a seventh-straight 20-win season.

10. Houston (12-16, 7-11 Big XII): A healthy Kellen Morin has the Cougars aiming for an NCAA Tournament berth. Houston will lean on a strong net defense and a solid backline defense anchored by libero Alana Torres-Rivera.