After an offseason characterized by pandemic uncertainty and calls for social reform from student-athletes, the Texas volleyball team is set to open its 2020 season Thursday.
The NCAA board also approved a number of other protections for Division I student-athletes, including prohibiting schools from requiring athletes to sign a waiver and requiring schools to continue to honor scholarships for anyone who opts out.
On Friday, Texas pushed the Louisville Cardinals to brink of elimination. Yet, the Cardinals slipped past the Longhorns in five sets (22-25, 22-25, 25-17, 25-18, 15-12) in their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2005.
The spotlight shined brightly on Gregory Gym as the NCAA tournament rolled into Austin. The Longhorns excelled under these lights, sweeping Albany 25-9, 25-16, 25-15.
Brionne Butler has had a superb year. The sophomore middle blocker has built on a shining freshman campaign by leading the Longhorns in blocks with 130 and earning All-Big 12 honors. The framework for her sophomore season started this summer when she chased a Pan-American Cup in Peru with Team USA.
For the past two years, the Texas volleyball team has finished in first place or tied for first place in the Big 12, but has lost in the NCAA Regional Final. This year, the team has accomplished the former, while hoping to avoid the latter.
