Texas volleyball head coach Jerritt Elliott was in dire need of an outside hitter.
After a disappointing end to last year’s NCAA tournament, uncertainties surrounding the program loomed with the immense roster turnover, including losing longtime star outside hitter Madisen Skinner.
But first, Elliott and his wife looked to enjoy some leisure time in Mexico before a long offseason. That is, until he realized the vacation would have to be cut short.
On Dec. 29, it was announced that junior outside hitter Torrey Stafford was entering the transfer portal from Pittsburgh, shortly after a heartbreaking Final Four loss to Louisville.
The prospect of bringing in an elite talent and veteran leader was huge. Knowing this, Elliott decided to fly back to Austin immediately to recruit the All-American.
“She’s elite,” Elliott said. “When you go back and look at all your analytics, she was the most efficient outside hitter in the country last year.”
Meanwhile, Stafford’s decision did not come without much deliberation. But ultimately, the authenticity and closeness within the program led her to announce her transfer to Texas on Jan. 9.
“What really impressed me (was) all the coaches brought their wives, like their whole family,” Stafford said. “I got the whole family dynamic of everything.”
Her presence this season has been a blessing for the Longhorns’ culture, as her vibrant energy shines throughout every match, enabling them to open their season with 10 straight wins.
“Volleyball is supposed to be fun,” Stafford said. “I think (the team) even talked about (how) we should have a seriousness for the sport, but our personalities shine through when we play.”
Elliott also praised Stafford’s fit for the program from a team-culture standpoint. According to him, she can light up a room, and she’s even got swag. And that’s not hard to see when you watch her celebrate after a point won.
Her energy has translated into a blistering start in the burnt orange; she leads the team in kills with 149, with an efficient .341 hitting percentage and received an AVCA Player of the Week award for the week of Sept. 9.
Early in her Longhorn tenure, one crowning moment stands above all in the fifth set against No. 6 Stanford on Sept. 7, with Texas down 5-10. Stafford consecutively registered four kills and a block to pull the team back en route to a thrilling win at the Moody Center.
It was an environment unfamiliar to this year’s Longhorns — a loud, home crowd in a dead-even match. Having to dig deep, Texas needed Stafford’s mettle to prevail, and junior setter Ella Swindle knew Stafford could be relied on.
“We have a culture built on trust,” Swindle said after the match. “I knew that I could count on Torrey and (sophomore setter Rella Binney) could also count on Torrey, and she took some really big swings and turned the game around.”
But despite her clutch performances, Stafford believes that stretches like those come from a team effort and mentality instilled from practice itself.
“We just have so many drills that cause us to be in chaotic situations,” Stafford said. “(That match) was another time that we saw that.”
As a mentor, leader and player, Stafford has lived up to the billing. With high aspirations for this season, she will look to spearhead this roster to more key wins. And hopefully for her, to also capture that elusive first national title.
