After last year’s Big 12 title and NCAA tournament run to the Elite Eight, women’s basketball head coach Vic Schaefer has his eyes set on the highest prize this year.

“The ultimate goal is not to just get to the Final Four,” Schaefer said on Thursday. “The ultimate goal is to win that last game.”

The Longhorns were ranked No. 6 in the country at their peak last season and finished with a 29-7 record, but after losing a few key players like former center/forward Lauren Ebo and guard/forward Audrey Warren to the transfer portal, Schaefer went to the portal himself to complete his roster with four of the nation’s top prospects. 

Guard Shaylee Gonzales

After spending the past four years at BYU, Gonzalez chose to spend at least one of her two remaining years of eligibility with the Longhorns.

Last year, the two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year and Second Team All-American averaged 18.3 points per game along with 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals. If placed in the starting lineup, her averages would pair with star sophomore guard Rori Harmon’s 11.4 points and five assists per game last year.

“I want to go to the Elite Eight and the Final Four and try to win a national championship,” Gonzales told the Texan in September. “I definitely feel like we can do that here at Texas.”

Guard Sonya Morris

During her previous three seasons with DePaul, Morris was a three-year starter and a three-time All-Big East selection. As a Blue Demon, Morris racked up 193 triples and averaged 17.6 points per game last season. She brings with her a sharpshooting ability from deep that will help boost the Longhorns’ offense, shooting 34.7% from behind the 3-point line last year. 

“We’re gelling already and we’ve only been playing with each other for a couple of weeks,” Harmon said on Oct. 4 about playing with Gonzales and Morris this year. “I’m excited (to get) those assists and (for) them (to rack) up those points.”

Forward Khadija Faye

With Ebo transferring to Notre Dame, the Longhorns lost a key part of their post defense. Khadija Faye, junior transfer from Texas Tech, will help fill that hole with the 5.5 rebounds she averaged last year as a freshman.

Forward Taylor Jones

Jones comes to Texas from Oregon State, where she was on the preseason All-Pac 12 team last year. Jones averaged 12.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game for the Beavers. Most notably, she shot 64.9% from the field, making her one of the most reliable shooters in the country.

On a talented team that is still on the younger side, Jones brings a veteran presence and experience that Schaefer has already noted in practice. 

“Taylor has really done a great job in a leadership role,” Schaefer said. “Her voice is recognizable and respected.” 

The Longhorns will be tested early this season with non-conference games against No. 6 Connecticut and No. 24 Princeton, granting the new Longhorns little time to get acclimated to their new team. Schaefer stressed the importance of finding a groove with the slate of early season competition on the horizon.

“We’re fixing to play some really good folks early,” Schaefer said. “So we’re trying to get good early, fast and quick, and it’s usually just not the way it works.”

After two exhibition games, the No. 3 Longhorns will officially open the season on Nov. 11 against Louisiana at the Moody Center.