The LONGHORNS welcomes 3 NEW RECRUITS

The commitment of the Texas volleyball coaches to recruit good student-athletes with good personalities make it easy to create a community based on respect. Past few months, Texas has been signing few athletes who will commit for 2025 season as the longhorns. 

The first addition for the Longhorns came last week, with the commitment of a 6-foot-2 outside hitter Whitney Lauenstein. Former Nebraska volleyball player Whitney Lauenstein announced on her Instagram account late Tuesday that she will be transferring to Texas to resume for the last two years of her college career.

Lauenstein sat out the 2023 season After the death of her father, Ryan Lauenstein, in 2021, in order to “step away from the volleyball team to focus on myself and be with my family and continue to heal due to the passing of my dad,” she posted on Instagram. She worked as a right side for the Huskers in 2022 and secured 297 kills (2.78 kills per set) and 111 blocks, making her second on the team in both categories, in addition to leading the Huskers with 28 service aces, earning all-region honours in the process.

On Tuesday, the head coach of Texas, Jerritt, landed commitments from two more players — Kentucky transfer outside hitter Reagan Rutherford and Baylor transfer setter Averi Carlson. 

A 6’0 outside hitter Rutherford is rejoining former teammate Madisen Skinner, the Texas star and fellow Kentucky transfer. Before her collegiate career, Rutherford’s talent was already evident. Ranked as the No. 10 recruit in the country by PrepVolleyball, she earned several awards, including being a First-Team AVCA Under Armour All-American. During her junior season at Kentucky in 2022, Reagan Rutherford showcased her talent on the volleyball court, earning AVCA All-America, All-SEC, and AVCA All-Region. Her senior season followed with similar accomplishments, finishing the season by being named second in kills at Kentucky with 271 (3.47 kills per set) and third in blocks with 67, as well as earning the All-SEC and AVCA All-American. 

As Reagan starts a new chapter in her life with the Texas Longhorns, she emphasizes the role of faith in her journey. Trusting in God’s plan, she sees His guiding hand leading her to Austin. Beyond the wins and losses on the court, Rutherford maintains an identity grounded in faith, remaining patient and trusting in the path laid out for her.

“I am faithful in God because He has never lost a battle and I know he has a plan for me, therefore I am patient and trust in Him to lead me down the right path.”

Reagan Rutherford is known for her impressive stats and accomplishments, but it is her faith that has set her apart. With a heart for others and a desire to serve the community around her, Rutherford’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and faith. As she puts on the burnt orange jersey for Texas, Rutherford’s story continues to unfold, promising more chapters of inspiration, growth, and success on and off the volleyball court.

The third addition of the Longhorns is a setter, Averi Carlson. A rising junior, Carlson was ranked as the No. 4 recruit and top setter in the 2022 class, becoming the highest signee in the history of the Baylor program. She lived up to expectations, playing every set for the Bears over the last two seasons and recording 54 assists twice in 2022, eight matches with double-digit digs, and leading the team in aces in nine matches. Even as an undersized setter at 5'11, Carlson makes sure to assist her teammates for their best. So what’s Elliott thinking by adding Carlson? He may intend to use a 6-2 rotation in 2024 to optimize their offence and defence.

“You look at tonight’s match, I mean, they’ve got half their starting team are transfers. They’re all fourth- and fifth-year players, except for Ella (Swindle), the setter, who did a great job. So that’s how they’ve been building their team, that’s how they built last year’s team. I like what we’re doing — I like recruiting kids and trying to make them be great,” said coach Cook.