After adding beach volleyball as its 21st varsity sport, here is what to expect from the newest Longhorn sport in its first season here at Texas.
In 2022, the University and women’s volleyball head coach Jerritt Elliott announced the addition of women’s beach volleyball. The NCAA introduced the sport in 2011, and it is now played by over 90 schools across Division I, II and III programs. With this being the first sport added since rowing in 1997, there is much anticipation around this team’s roster.
As head coach Stein Metzger arrived in Austin in the spring, he had no time to recruit, so he relied entirely on the transfer portal to build his roster. Nine of the ten players on Metzger’s roster returned to their home state of Texas to play for the Longhorns.
Macey Butler
The transfer from the University of California Los Angeles is expected to be an impact player in her Longhorn rookie season. After redshirting at UCLA, this will be the redshirt freshman’s first season competing at the collegiate level. Before her time as a Bruin, Butler received many accolades during high school, with awards like the 2022 AVCA Junior Beach All-American and placing third at the U20 World Championship in 2021.
Chloe Charles
A Florida State transfer from Austin, Texas, Charles returns to her home state to continue her career as a Longhorn. Charles’ career as a Seminole was impressive. As a freshman, Charles finished her season with a 6-1 record, going a straight six matches undefeated. She ended her time in Florida with an ACC Academic Honor Roll and helped lead her team to a semifinal appearance in the 2023 NCAA Championship Tournament.
Katie Hashman
The redshirt sophomore from UCLA finished her freshman season with a three-time UCLA Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in the fall of 2021 and the winter and spring of 2022. Additionally, in 2022, her freshman season, Hashman received several caps, with her season best going 2-0 in wins over Oregon and Arizona State in the PAC-12.
Kelly McCloskey
A sophomore transfer from Louisiana State University, McCloskey is coming into the season with experience. In her time as a Tiger, McCloskey went on a season 2-0 run and was a part of the team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Before starting her collegiate career, McCloskey was a 2021 Junior Olympic runner-up and high school All-American, proving that her experience could be helpful to the new program.
Hannah Ogden
A sophomore transfer from Stephen F. Austin University, Ogden had an overall record of 10-14 last season, with one of those wins being an impressive win over Stanford. Ogden came into college with All-District honors in high school and is one of the few players to have completed an entire season at the collegiate level. Her experience should prove helpful to this young Texas team.
Maddison Parmelly
Graduate transfer Maddison Parmelly played an impressive four seasons at Florida Gulf Coast, receiving several accolades. Parmelly was a two-time Atlantic Sun Conference First Team All-Conference selection and was a part of the 2022 ASUN Pair of the Year after a 25-10 season record as the number one pair for the Eagles.
Ava Patton
Ava Patton, a redshirt freshman transfer from Texas Christian University, did not compete for the Horned Frogs last season, but the Austin local came into college with high accolades and is expected to do well for the Longhorns.
Emma Grace Robertson
The sophomore transfer from Florida Atlantic University was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team and finished the season with a 21-11 record. As one of the more experienced players on the roster, she looks to make an impact for the Longhorns.
Kylie Wickley
A junior transfer from Arizona State University, Kylie Wickley had an impressive two-year career with the Sun Devils. Last season, Wickley finished with an 11-13 record overall, but she played in every match on the top court, where she had impressive wins over ranked partnerships. During her freshman year, she also found herself in several matchups, making her one of the more accomplished players on the roster.
Presley Wright
A sophomore transfer from South Carolina, Wright gained solid experience as a freshman. Later in her initial season, she saw some playing time where she got a few season starts and wins under her belt. With some playing time at the collegiate level, she should prove to be a promising addition to the Texas roster.
