Texas has one of the most dominant college volleyball programs in the nation. With back-to-back national titles to their names and almost the entire roster returning for another year, the Longhorns were projected to once again be contenders for the National Championship.
However, as the postseason rapidly approaches, the Longhorns are just as quickly falling down the rankings yet still remain a top-15 team.
While the team itself, led by head coach Jerritt Elliott, has talent at every position, the actual performances by the team have been greatly lacking this season. So far, the Horns have earned a disappointing 15-6 overall record, one of the worst in the top 25.
As the No. 14 team in the nation, Texas is surprisingly ranked higher than teams like No. 16 Minnesota (17-9), No. 19 Utah (21-5), and No. 20 Florida (19-5).
While records aren't everything – strength of schedule, how a team looks on paper, and other factors still apply to volleyball rankings – Texas' performance so far this year is a far cry from a team that deserves to be in the top 15.
The SEC is one of the two strongest conferences for women's college volleyball, alongside the Big Ten, so the Longhorns have played a handful of formidable opponents. However, Texas' 10-3 conference record isn't anything to write home about.
Just two spots ahead of Texas in the rankings is Kentucky, at No. 13. The Wildcats are 17-7 overall and 12-2 in conference play and are the highest-ranked SEC team. Somewhat shockingly, the Horns swept the Wildcats in three sets despite Kentucky being the more dominant team this year.
Wins like the one over Kentucky are what is keeping Texas' head above water this season but if Elliott, and star players like Madisen Skinner, can't figure out how to right the ship, the Longhorns' postseason run will be significantly shorter than usual.