Volleyball game between the Texas Longhorns and Wisconsin Badgers at Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Texas on December 14, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
The pursuit of a third consecutive national title came to a heartbreaking conclusion for the third ranked Texas Longhorns as they were upended by tenth ranked Wisconsin in the NCAA Regional Final. The four set battle ended with scores of 22 to 25, 21 to 25, 25 to 20, and 19 to 25, marking a rare early exit for a program that has defined modern collegiate volleyball dominance.
Despite the loss, the match served as a testament to the sustained excellence of the Longhorn culture, as this appearance represented the eighteenth time in just twenty seasons that Texas has reached the elite Regional Final stage. The team concluded their impressive campaign with an overall record of 26 and 4, a journey highlighted by a massive eighteen match winning streak and twelve separate victories over ranked opponents.
The opening set saw a resilient Texas squad refuse to go down without a fight, mounting a late and dramatic rally to fend off five consecutive set points. However, the early momentum belonged to Wisconsin as they claimed the frame behind the offensive power of Mimi Colyer. Junior standout Torrey Stafford provided a defensive bright spot for the Longhorns during this initial stretch, contributing three kills alongside two of her four solo blocks on the night.
That defensive pressure was tested even further in the second set when Wisconsin found an unstoppable rhythm, hitting an incredible .400 as a team. Texas struggled to match that efficiency, and while Whitney Lauenstein powered through for four kills in an attempt to keep pace, the Longhorns were held to a .267 hitting percentage and fell into a two set deficit.
Refusing to be swept on their home court, the Longhorns came roaring back in the third set with their most efficient offensive display of the evening. Texas hit a collective .400 during the frame, led by the rising talent of freshman Cari Spears. Spears was a revelation throughout the match, ultimately recording 12 kills on 28 swings to finish with a stellar .321 hitting percentage. Her three kills on just six attempts in the third set provided the spark Texas needed to clinch the set 25 to 20 and breathe new life into the Austin crowd.
The final frame began with a burst of optimism as Texas sprinted to a 4 to 0 lead, but the momentum proved fleeting. The Wisconsin defense tightened significantly, forcing the Longhorns into their least efficient offensive performance of the match with a .158 hitting percentage. The Badgers capitalized on the shift, eventually building a commanding 17 to 10 lead that they would not relinquish. As the final point hit the floor, it signaled the end of a legendary career for senior libero Emma Halter.
Halter led the team with 13 digs in her final appearance, bringing her career total to 1,307. This achievement places her at number eight on the all time Texas career digs list, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest defensive specialists to ever wear the burnt orange. While the season ended short of a championship, both Cari Spears and Torrey Stafford were honored for their exceptional play with selections to the Austin Regional All Tournament Team.
University of Texas Volleyball
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