Hello, Sweet 16 vibes! Senior Madisen Skinner and her Texas Longhorns are gearing up to take the court with all the fire and finesse expected from a powerhouse team. Fresh off another stellar win, these volleyball queens swept No. 19 USC in a thrilling 26-24, 25-20, 25-22 showdown at a jam-packed Gregory Gymnasium during the NCAA Second Round. With that victory, the Longhorns (20-6) secured their spot in the NCAA Regional for the 19th consecutive season—an active streak that’s the longest in the nation. Talk about a dynasty!

Madisen Skinner was a force to be reckoned with, hammering down a jaw-dropping 23 kills at a .347 hitting clip while also securing her eighth double-double of the season with 12 digs. Not to be outdone, fellow senior Jenna Wenaas delivered a stellar performance, racking up 13 kills on just 21 swings and posting an incredible .619 hitting percentage. Legends only, am I right? But here’s the twist—despite the epic victory and advancing to face Creighton on December 13th in the NCAA semifinals, Skinner wasn’t all smiles. Instead, the senior star was seen with tears streaming down her face.

Madisen Skinner tears up!

Texas Volleyball lit up Instagram with an emotional clip that had fans reaching for tissues and Longhorn pride running high. The video captured a poignant moment during the Texas vs. USC game, as the team stood united, hand in hand, for the Texas anthem. Front and center were seniors Madisen Skinner and Jenna Wenaas, side by side, with Skinner wiping away tears before the game even started. The caption? A simple yet heartfelt “these two 🥹🤘”—and honestly, that’s all it took to send fans into an emotional spiral.

So, why the waterworks? Well, it was the seniors’ final time gracing the court at Gregory Gymnasium, their beloved home turf. The bittersweet reality of leaving it all behind hit hard, not just for Skinner but for the entire Longhorn faithful watching. Even with a big win in their pocket and the Sweet 16 on the horizon, the weight of this moment was undeniable. Fans couldn’t help but share in her emotions, as they flocked to the comments section.

One fan was deep in their feelings and couldn’t hold back the love, dropping a comment that read, “I’m so sad 😭 it’s your last year madi. Can’t wait to see was next for you. But we still have games ahead of us!” Talk about all the sentimental vibes, right? Madisen Skinner has made her mark, not just on the court, but in the hearts of Longhorn Nation.

Though her Gregory Gym journey has come to a close, the story is far from over. With the Sweet 16 calling her name, Madi and her squad are gearing up for a high-stakes showdown against Creighton on December 13th at 1:00 PM ET. Set in the Penn State Region, it’s another chapter waiting to be written—and something tells us, that Madi’s still got some game-changing moves up her sleeve. But this was just the beginning, as many other users flocked to the comments section!

Volleyheads gets emotional!

Yes, you heard that right! Fans couldn’t hold back their emotions after watching Madisen Skinner shed those heartfelt tears. They poured into the comments, with one fan reminiscing, “I’ll always remember last year’s championship!!!! FOREVER!!!!” And honestly, how could anyone forget that epic moment? Flashback to last year—Texas Longhorns stormed the court, sweeping away this year’s fan favorites, the Nebraska Huskers, in a jaw-dropping 3-0 victory (25-22, 25-14, 25-11). That win didn’t just bag them their second straight national title; it also crowned Madisen Skinner as the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. With a match-high 16 kills and five digs, she absolutely owned the game. Oh, and fun fact—this marked her third championship win across two schools, Kentucky and Texas, which is practically legendary status!

And it’s only the beginning of the feels train! Another fan jumped in with, “2 More Legends Leaving Their Mark In Greg 😢🤘🏾🧡”—and honestly, truer words have never been spoken. Both Madisen Skinner and Jenna Wenaas have been absolute powerhouses for the Longhorns, leaving a legacy that’s impossible to miss. Let’s talk stats because these two have been the heartbeat of the team. Madi? She played every single one of the 32 matches in the 2023 season, slaying with a jaw-dropping 547 kills and an average of 4.80 kills per set—leading the team like the queen she is. Jenna? Oh, she was right there too, playing in all 32 matches and 111 sets, finishing as the second top scorer with a cool 313 kills and an average of 2.82 kills per set. Together, they’ve been unstoppable forces, making sure every spike, dig, and kill counts!

And the love for Madi just keeps pouring in! Another fan left a heartwarming comment that said, “She’s fought through so much this season, I’m so proud of her 🥹🧡🤍”—and honestly, same. Because let’s be real, this season hasn’t exactly been all rainbows and sunshine for Madisen Skinner. Flashback to September, when frustration hit hard, and Madi herself admitted, “The ball comes off funky.” Yikes, talk about a tough moment. Her coach, Jerritt Elliott, even benched her from six rotations, showing that it’s been a season of challenges and growth. But hey, she powered through like the champion she is, turning setbacks into setups for success.

And the emotional floodgates kept opening, with another fan chiming in, “We’re crying too, it’s been a pleasure, thanks for what you did for the program 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼.” Like, could it get any more bittersweet? Madi Skinner’s time at Texas has been nothing short of legendary, and the accolades she’s stacked over the years prove it. Let’s talk about her absolutely glowing 2023 season—NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, VolleyballMag.com National Player of the Year, AVCA First Team All-American, Southwest Region Player of the Year, Big 12 Player of the Year… the list goes on. First Team All-Big 12, too, because why not? With a résumé that’s practically dripping with gold stars, it’s no wonder saying goodbye to Gregory Gymnasium turned into a tear-filled day for Madi and her fans alike.