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The Texas Longhorns took a massive victory over the Nebraska Huskers in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship finals. The champs banked on the immense depth they had over Nebraska, which allowed them to dominate the game right after the first set. Interestingly, the Longhorns are ramping up their squad and adding even more bulk to it.
Madisen Skinner was the pivotal star for Texas who played a big role throughout the season, and in the final-four stage as well. Interestingly, a social media post recently revealed that Skinner will be joined by a former ally for 2024. In fact, the Texas Longhorns are stocking up all the firepower they can to get an NCAA Championship hat trick.
Texas Longhorns prepare warheads for 2024
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Kentucky Wildcats outside hitter Reagan Rutherford recently added a new post on her Instagram account. The post said, “I’m so excited to announce my commitment to Texas!! Can’t wait to start this new journey #hookem” This is big news as Rutherford’s arrival will reunite her with Skinner, with whom she clinched the 2020 NCAA Volleyball Championship. Moreover, this will also fortify the strength of the Texas Longhorns by many folds.
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Rutherford is a highly explosive outside hitter and will add more slashing power to the already razor-sharp offense of the Texas Longhorns. The fact that both Rutherford and Skinner powered Kentucky to the 2020 win bolsters Texas’ depth even more.
She’ll also make up for the drainage Texas will suffer from the absence of Asjia O’Neal, who played her final collegiate season this year. That’s not all. The Longhorns have also added another offensive player, stabbing the Nebraska Huskers in the heart.
Nebraska Huskers get their power diminished even further
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Whitney Lauenstein of the Nebraska Huskers will now switch her red uniform to put on the colors of the Texas Longhorns. The outside hitter of the Huskers will play as an opposite for the Longhorns. This is the third outside hitter who has exited the fold of Nebraska due to off-season trading.
Lauenstein will be the second Nebraska player for the Texas Longhorns after Keonilei Akana. While the back-to-back champs have armed themselves to the teeth, the Huskers also have a golden chance to strengthen their squad. Minnesota’s Taylor Landfair, one of the best outside hitters in the NCAA, is still available on the trading block.
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The combination of Landfair alongside Big Ten Setter of the Year Bergen Reilly will be a highly effective combo. Especially considering that Nebraska is already a defensive powerhouse. It will also take some offensive pressure off All-American first-team captain Merritt Beason. Will the Huskers create a powerful front against the Texas Longhorns by adding Landfair to their lineup?