Sports

Ranking all 66 Austin-area schools’ sports years

Published

5 months ago

July 27, 2025

Colby Gordon, Austin American-Statesman
| Hearst – Austin Transition

Each year, the American-Statesman ranks all high school athletic programs in the Austin area in a competition called the Breazeale Cup, named for longtime Statesman sports writer George Breazeale.

Schools accrue points based on their programs’ results throughout the school year. Georgetown won its second straight Cup last year, but there was a first-time winner this time around.

These are the rankings for 2024-25:

No. 1: Vandegrift (95 points)

It’s hard to imagine having a more impressive postseason across the board than what the Vipers accomplished this year.

In winning the cup for the first time, not only did the Class 6A athletics department produce state titles in football and boys soccer, it finished state runner-up in boys cross-country and girls golf and reached the state semifinals in girls soccer and volleyball. Every traditional team sport but one made the playoffs, which is even more impressive considering Vandegrift is in a tough nine-team district.

Scoring (95 points): Football 19, boys soccer 16, volleyball 13, girls soccer 10, boys cross country 7, girls golf 7, girls basketball 6, tennis 5, boys basketball 4, boys swimming 4, girls swimming 2, baseball 2

No. 2: Wimberley (91)

Like Vandegrift, the Class 4A Texans — who were far and away the top small school in the Austin area — were a heavyweight when it came to the playoffs. Wimberley won a state title in volleyball, finished runner-up in baseball and girls soccer and recorded a podium finish in team tennis. Though known for football, which again had a strong season by reaching the state semifinals, the Texans excelled across the board with points in nine sports.

Scoring (91 points): Volleyball 18, girls soccer 15, baseball 14, football 13, tennis 9, boys basketball 8, softball 6, girls basketball 4, track and field 4

No. 3: Westlake (79)

It was another strong year for the Class 6A Chaps, who are a regular at the top of this list. Outside of a state title for the boys golf team and runner-up finish for football, Westlake compiled most of its points thanks to incredible depth as it tallied points in an impressive 13 sports. The Chaps, who also had strong showings in volleyball and boys water polo, finished runner-up a year ago.

Scoring (79 points): Football 15, volleyball 10, boys water polo 9, boys golf 8, baseball 6, boys basketball 5, girls basketball 5, tennis 5, girls water polo 4, girls golf 4, girls swimming 4, girls soccer 2, boys soccer 2

No. 4: Georgetown (77)

There wasn’t much of a drop for the Eagles, who won the cup the last two years and are establishing themselves as the Austin area’s premier Class 5A athletic department. Scoring points in 10 sports, Georgetown won district titles in volleyball, football, tennis, girls basketball, girls soccer, softball and baseball, with both the volleyball and girls basketball teams reaching the state semifinals.

Scoring (77 points): Girls basketball 13, volleyball 12, girls soccer 10, baseball 9, softball 9, football 7, tennis 5, boys swimming 4, girls cross country 4, boys soccer 4

No. 5: Liberty Hill (76)

Known for football, it was a wildly impressive, across-the-board performance for the Panthers girls and boys that boosted the Class 5A department to its best Cup showing this decade. The boys soccer team won a state title while girls basketball reached the state championship game. Strong showings in baseball, softball and boys basketball also helped spur the school, which made the playoffs in all the traditional team sports.

Scoring (76 points): Boys soccer 16, girls basketball 12, baseball 12, boys basketball 11, softball 10, volleyball 8, football 4, girls soccer 2, tennis 1

No. 6: Lake Travis (74)

Like their rival Westlake, the Cavs are a regular at the top of this competition and won it in 2021 and 2022. The Class 6A school earned most of its points in the spring when it won district titles and made splashy playoff runs in girls soccer, boys soccer and baseball. Both golf teams had podium finishes at state. Lake Travis dropped three spots from last year’s third-place Cup finish.

Scoring (74 points): Girls soccer 15, baseball 12, boys soccer 11, football 8, boys golf 7, girls golf 7, boys basketball 4, softball 4, tennis 2, girls basketball 2, volleyball 2

No. 7: Cedar Park (67)

After barely missing out on the top 10 a year ago — they finished 12th — the Class 5A Timberwolves firmly found themselves in seventh place, mostly thanks to their girls teams. Girls soccer won a state title, volleyball finished state runner-up, girls swimming was fourth at state and the girls basketball team made a solid playoff run.

Scoring (67 points): Girls soccer 19, volleyball 15, girls basketball 8, boys soccer 6, girls swimming 6, tennis 5, wrestling 4, baseball 2, football 2

No. 8: Round Rock (62)

The Dragons can be relied upon to be good at almost everything, and this year was no different for the 6A department. Paced by girls soccer, baseball and boys water polo winning district titles, Round Rock scored points in 13 sports, which ties Westlake for most on this year’s list.

Scoring (62 points): Girls soccer 11, boys water polo 11, baseball 9, girls basketball 6, girls water polo 4, boys cross country 4, girls cross country 4, volleyball 4, football 2, boys swimming 2, boys basketball 2, softball 2, tennis 1

No. 9: Johnson (56)

It was a banner campaign for the Hays County school, which was in only its third year as a Class 6A program. Moved south in redistricting, the Jaguars excelled with district titles and long playoff runs in volleyball, softball and girls water polo. Baseball and football also had fine years for Johnson, which makes its first top 10 Cup showing.

Scoring (56 points): Volleyball 11, girls water polo 11, softball 10, baseball 8, football 6, boys soccer 4, girls soccer 4, boys water polo 2

No. 10: Anderson (52)

If the Trojans have always been a sleeping giant waiting for an extended run in Class 5A — they’ve bounced back and forth between 6A the last three UIL realignment cycles — then this may have been their breakout year. Anderson made the playoffs in every traditional team sport but one and scored points in 12 of them. The baseball team won district and made a deep playoff run to lead the way, with the volleyball, girls soccer and girls basketball teams all claiming district titles.

Scoring (52 points): Baseball 11, volleyball 7, girls soccer 5, girls basketball 5, girls cross country 4, tennis 4, boys water polo 4, girls water polo 4, track & field 2, football 2, boys basketball 2, boys soccer 2

The rest of Central Texas

11. Dripping Springs (45): The Tigers continued to fare well in their third year in Class 6A, which was sparked by district titles and playoff runs to the state semifinals in baseball and softball.

12. Hendrickson (43): The Hawks were back on the edge of the top 10 — they were 14th a year ago with two fewer points — thanks to volleyball, girls basketball, boys soccer, girls soccer, softball and baseball all reaching at least the regional semifinals.

13. LASA (42): Are the Raptors the most underrated athletic department in the Austin area? LASA is more known for its academics, but it scored its second straight top-15 finish — it was 11th last year — behind a state runner-up finish in Class 5A team tennis and district titles in boys soccer, boys water polo and girls water polo.

14. Westwood (40): The Warriors received their traditional strong showing in team tennis with a third straight Class 6A title, while the girls water polo team won district and the girls soccer team had a strong playoff run. Westwood had nearly an identical finish to last year when it finished 16th with 39 points.

15. Lago Vista (39): Only Wimberley had a better showing among small schools than the Vikings, who made a gigantic leap from finishing 41st last year. Lago Vista recorded district titles in baseball, softball, girls basketball and boys basketball.

16. Thorndale (38): It was another solid overall performance for the Class 2A Bulldogs, who nearly matched last year’s 14th place showing. Thorndale won district titles and at least one playoff matchup in volleyball, boys basketball, softball and baseball.

17. Johnson City (37): Finishing 17th for the second year in a row, the Class 2A school west of Dripping Springs won state in volleyball and garnered district titles in baseball and softball.

18. Weiss (35): The Class 5A Pflugerville ISD school was consistent across the board, making the playoffs in all of the traditional team sports but one. Volleyball won a district title and reached the regional semifinals to lead the way.

19. Burnet (31): After an impressive sixth-place finish in 2023-24, the Class 4A Bulldogs dropped 13 spots. Burnet made the playoffs in all of the traditional team sports, led by a girls soccer team who won a district title.

20. Rouse (30): The Class 5A Raiders had their third straight top-20 finish, highlighted by softball’s district title and state semifinals run.

21. East View (29): Jumping up from 29th a year ago, the Class 5A Patriots were led by boys basketball and boys soccer, both of which won a district title and two playoff games. Softball also advanced to the regional semifinals.

T-22. Blanco (28): About to be led by former Liberty Hill football coach Kent Walker, the Class 3A Panthers had a solid year with district titles in football, volleyball and softball.

T-22. Vista Ridge (28): Competing in the rugged, nine-team District 25-6A, the Rangers received nearly half of their points from a boys soccer team that won district and reached the state semifinals. Girls basketball also won a district title.

T-24. Glenn (27): The Class 5A Grizzlies produced most of their points in the winter, when girls basketball won a district title, boys basketball reached the regional finals and boys soccer won district and advanced to the regional finals.

T-24. LBJ (27): One of the better performers out of Austin ISD, the Class 4A Jaguars were led by boys basketball winning a district title and reaching the state semifinals.

T-26. Bastrop (26): Making a leap of 25 spots up the standings from 51st a year ago, the Class 5A Bears won a district title in football and reached the third round of the playoffs in girls basketball and boys soccer.

T-26. McCallum (26): The Class 5A Knights made the playoffs in all of the traditional team sports but one and were led by boys basketball winning a district title and girls soccer reaching the regional semifinals.

T-28. Cedar Ridge (24): The softball team won a loaded District 25-6A and advanced to the regional finals to lead the Raiders, who also won a district title in girls water polo. Cedar Ridge was 32nd last year.

T-28. La Grange (24): One of the better mascots in the area, the Leopards, this Class 4A school won a district title in boys basketball and went to the third round of the playoffs in baseball.

T-30. Bowie (23): Stuck in District 25-6A with heavyweights Lake Travis, Westlake and Dripping Springs, the Bulldogs did well by making the playoffs in most sports and were led by boys soccer reaching the regional finals.

T-30. Gateway Prep (23). Georgetown’s third high school that competes in Class 4A went to the regional finals in volleyball and won a district title in boys basketball.

T-30. Giddings (23): The Class 4A Buffaloes won playoff contests in volleyball, boys soccer, girls soccer, softball and baseball.

33. Thrall (22): A baseball team that finished as state runner-up provided more than half the points for the Tigers, who jumped up to Class 3A this classification cycle.

34. Granger (21): One of the area’s few Class 2A programs, the Lions’ year was highlighted by winning a district title in girls basketball and advancing to the regional semifinals in football.

35. Lampasas (20): Runs to the regional semifinals in football and baseball headlined the Class 4A Badgers’ year. Lampasas had nearly an identical finish in 2024 when it tied for 36th.

36. Manor New Tech (18): The Class 4A Titans made the playoffs in every traditional team sport but one and claimed a district title in boys soccer. They continue their move up the standings after finishing 55th in 2023 and 44th in 2024.

37. Austin Achieve (16): All of the Polar Bears’ points came from the boys soccer team winning the Class 4A Division II state title.

38. Stony Point (15): Life in District 25-6A isn’t easy for anyone. The boys basketball team winning a district title and advancing to the regional finals paced the Tigers, who also made the playoffs in volleyball and softball.

T-39. Pflugerville (14): Girls basketball had its traditionally strong season by reaching the regional semifinals. The Class 5A Panthers also won a playoff game in football for the first time in 12 years.

T-39. San Marcos (14): A run to the regional finals in girls basketball headlined the Class 6A Rattlers’ year, with baseball and both soccer teams also making the playoffs.

T-39. Smithville (14): Girls basketball and softball accounted for all of the school’s points as both programs won a district title and playoff game.

42. Leander (13): Softball reached the finals and boys basketball won a playoff game for the Class 5A Lions, who dropped from 18th last year.

T43. Austin High (12): Boys water polo advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the Class 6A Maroons, who also qualified for the postseason in football, volleyball, girls basketball and girls water polo.

T43. Hays (12): The Hawks made the Class 5A playoffs in volleyball, girls basketball, girls soccer, softball, boys water polo and girls water polo.

T45. Jarrell (11): The Class 4A school in northern Williamson County won a district title and two playoff games in girls basketball and made the playoffs in volleyball.

T45. Taylor (11): Girls soccer won a playoff game to pace the Class 4A Ducks, who fell 20 spots from a year ago.

T47. Travis (9): Postseason appearances in football, girls basketball, baseball and softball highlighted the year for the Class 4A Rebels.

T47. Marble Falls (9): Boys soccer won a playoff game for the Mustangs, who were in their third year in Class 4A and finished 38th last year.

T49. Bartlett (8): A Class 2A school that represents the northeastern edge of the Austin area — it’s actually in Bell County — the Bulldogs went to the regional finals in baseball.

T49. Eastside (8): The smallest AISD school made the playoffs in volleyball, boys basketball, baseball and softball.

51. McNeil (7): Just making the playoffs out of the brutal District 25-6A is an achievement, which the Mavericks did in football, boys soccer, baseball and tennis.

T52. Connally (6): The Class 5A Cougars won a playoff game in boys basketball and made the postseason in boys soccer.

T52. Luling (6): Boys basketball reached the second round of the playoffs for the Class 3A Eagles.

T52. Northeast (6): Both soccer teams made the playoffs during the school’s first year in Class 4A, with the boys team claiming a share of the district title.

T55. Cedar Creek (4): Boys basketball and girls soccer made the postseason for the Class 5A Eagles.

T55. Crockett (4): The school’s traditionally strong softball team had another good season by reaching the second round of the playoffs.

T55. Del Valle (4): The Cardinals made the playoffs in softball and boys soccer out of a tough District 26-6A.

T55. Elgin (4): A playoff win in football led to all the points for the Class 5A Wildcats.

T55. Hutto (4): Softball won a playoff game to account for all of the Hippos’ points as the school battled in District 25-6A.

T55. Lehman (4): Playoff appearances by both water polo teams paced the Lobos.

T61. Ann Richards (2): The all-girls school made the Class 5A playoffs in volleyball.

T61. Florence (2): Softball marked the only sport to make the postseason for the Class 3A Buffaloes.

T61. Lockhart (2): The Class 5A Lions made the playoffs in boys soccer.

T64. Akins (0): Being in a district with Dripping Springs, Lake Travis and Westlake made points tough to come by for the Class 6A Eagles.

T64. Navarro (0): A move into a tougher district left the Class 5A Vikings without any points.

T64. Manor (0): Playing in the brutal, nine-team District 25-6A didn’t make life easy for the Mustangs.

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Spencer McLachlin Named Head Coach at UC San Diego

Published

4 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Third-year USC women’s volleyball associate head coach Spencer McLachlin was hired for his first appointment as a head coach and will lead the UC San Diego women’s volleyball program, UCSD Director of Athletics Andy Fee announced on Tuesday, Dec. 23.

McLachlin becomes the eighth head coach in UCSD program history and will coach the Tritons in their final season as members of the Big West (2026) before the program transitions to the West Coast Conference ahead of the 2027 campaign. He joins JJ Van Niel (Arizona State), Tyler Hildebrand (Saint Mary’s College), and Amy Pauly (Orlando Valkyries) as former USC assistants under Brad Keller who have moved into head coaching positions.

“This opportunity is no surprise and has been a long time coming for Spencer,” said Keller. “UCSD is getting one of the best coaches in the game. Spencer and I have worked together in many different phases of our careers, and I know USC is in a better place with a brighter future for everything he has done here. Spencer is an innovator, a creator, and most importantly, a dreamer. Our game needs more leaders like him. I couldn’t be prouder of what he has done and for this new opportunity for him and his family.”

In his three seasons at USC, McLachlin helped lead the Women of Troy to three straight NCAA tournament appearances. The Trojans advanced to the second round in each of their three postseason berths. Most recently, McLachlin helped USC reach 25 wins and finish in a tie for third place in the Big Ten. Six Trojans received awards on all-conference teams and USC led the league in blocking (2.76 bps). The Trojans also ranked second (12th in the NCAA) in total blocks (322.5) and were second for opponent hitting percentage (.184). OH London Wijay earned AVCA All-America honorable mention.

With McLachlin on staff in 2024, USC advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the third straight year and finished 22-10 overall with a 13-7 mark in the Big Ten (tied for sixth). Setter Mia Tuaniga was named to the AVCA All-America third team. In his first season with the Women of Troy, McLachlin helped USC go 19-13 with a 12-8 mark in the Pac-12 for a fifth-place finish. That season, OH Skylar Fields was honored with AVCA All-America first-team recognition.

McLachlin is married to former USC volleyball standout opposite hitter Diane Copenhagen (2004-07), a 2004 Pac-10 All-Freshman Team selection. The McLachlins are parents to two daughters, Leila and Malia, and a son named Koa.

The 14th-ranked Trojans (25-7, 15-5 Big Ten) finished the regular season tied for third in the Big Ten and were awarded one of 33 at-large berths—and a hosting bid—into the 2025 NCAA tournament. USC made its fourth straight appearance in the tourney under sixth-year head coach Brad Keller (41st all-time) and moved into the second round for the fourth consecutive year with a 3-0 sweep of Princeton. The Women of Troy were eliminated from postseason play in a hard-fought five-set loss to Cal Poly in the second round.

For more information on the USC women’s volleyball team, please visit USCTrojans.com/WVB. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow @USCWomensVolley on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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Defending Big West Regular Season And National Champion Long Beach State Chosen As 2026 Preseason Coaches’ Poll Favorite

Published

4 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West released its 2026 Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Team, and defending Big West regular season and National Champion Long Beach State was selected as the preseason favorite. The Beach garnered 24 total points and four first-place votes from league head coaches, signaling strong expectations for another elite season.

Long Beach State’s status as a national powerhouse was further reinforced in the 2026 AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Preseason Poll (Dec. 23), where the Beach were ranked No. 3 nationally behind UCLA and Hawai’i.

The Beach also placed multiple student-athletes on the 2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team, as Skyler Varga and Alex Kandev earned preseason recognition following standout performances during Long Beach State’s championship 2025 season.

Varga returns as one of the nation’s premier attackers. During the 2025 season he played a central role in Long Beach State’s run to the NCAA National Championship, earning NCAA All-Tournament Team honors for his performance in the title match. He finished the year with 270 kills (2.73 per set) on a .368 attack percentage, while adding 33 service aces, 70 total blocks, and 341 points across 99 sets. In addition to his on-court excellence, Varga also received CSC Academic All-America recognition, underscoring his impact as a scholar-athlete.

Kandev, now a sophomore outside hitter, made his mark on the national stage during the 2025 NCAA Championship match. In the title match victory over UCLA, Kandev helped the Beach secure their fourth national title and earned NCAA All-Tournament Team honors in the process. He concluded his freshman season with 210 kills (3.23 per set) while hitting .458, ranking among the team leaders in efficiency, and added 21 aces, 36 blocks, and 250 points in 65 sets.

Following Long Beach State atop the Big West preseason poll, Hawai’i was chosen second with 22 points and two first-place votes, and UC Irvine was tabbed third with 17 points. CSUN, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara rounded out the poll, each earning nine points.

With proven postseason performers and returning national contenders, Long Beach State enters 2026 as both the team to beat in the Big West and one of the top programs in the nation.

2026 Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Long Beach State – 24 points (4)

Hawai’i – 22 points (2)

UC Irvine – 17 points

T-4. CSUN – 9 points

T-4. UC San Diego – 9 points

T-4. UC Santa Barbara – 9 points

First-place votes in parentheses

2026 Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Team
George Bruening, UC Santa Barbara
Alex Kandev, Long Beach State
Jalen Phillips, CSUN
Tread Rosenthal, Hawai’i
Adrien Roure, Hawai’i
Kristian Titriyski, Hawai’i
Skyler Varga, Long Beach State

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NSU adds goalkeeper transfer – Northwestern State University Athletics

Published

4 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By: Jonathon Zenk, Assistant Director of Communications

NATCHITOCHES—After dipping into the transfer portal for a midfielder and defender, Northwestern State soccer head coach Ian Brophy now picks up a goalkeeper in the form of transfer Saki Tsuchiya.

Tsuchiya, a native of Takasaki, Japan, comes to NSU following a season at Valparaiso.

“We are very excited to add an experienced goalkeeper who really fits our style of play,” Brophy said. “Her ability with the ball at her feet is something that definitely suits us and should help us as a team. She will instantly provide competition in an already very competitive group and certainly makes us better.”

She played in three games for the Crusaders, sporting a save percentage of .708 and goals against average of 3.36 in just under 134 minutes. She recorded 12 saves this past season, seven coming against Drake and then posting five saves against Illinois.

Prior to her season at Valpo, Tsuchiya started her collegiate career at Tyler JC, where she competed for two seasons.

For Tyler JC, she appeared in 30 matches during the two years, where she posted a 1.18 GAA and a .780 save percentage.

She recorded three solo shutouts and five combined shutouts among her 13 wins as a sophomore in 2024. That season also earned her a Second Team All-Region selection, as her team captured the Region XIV championship and played in the NJCAA National Tournament 2023 and 2024.

As a freshman, she was named to the NJCAA Second Team All-Academic Team for 2023-24.

She played summer soccer in 2024 for TLH Reckoning of the USLW and in 2025 for Peoria City of the WPSL.

In high school at Kaishigakuen JAPAN Soccer College koutoubu, she was a three-year starter in net.

She joins an already impressive goalkeeper room that includes Second Team All-Southland Conference selection Kennedy Rist and rising sophomore Audrey Marfia, who recorded a goals against average of 0.39, surrendering just one goal in 230:32.

Tsuchiya will be the first Japan native to play for the Demons and joins Hosane Soukou, Ravina Sandhu and Anika Sproxton as players on the team not from the United States.

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Lauren Watson Becomes First Player in USD Beach Volleyball History

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4 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SAN DIEGO — Defender Lauren Watson became the first player in USD beach volleyball history on Monday afternoon when she signed a grant-in-aid agreement to play for the Toreros.

Watson, who hails from Phoenix, Arizona, attends Notre Dame Preparatory High School, where she was twice named the Arizona Beach Volleyball Player of the Year by the Arizona Republic. She will join San Diego for its inaugural beach volleyball season in the spring of 2027.

“Lauren is a really good all-around talent,” said USD beach volleyball head coach Derek Olson. “As a defender that can sit in the pocket and run shots down, she has good defensive instincts and covers a lot of sand.”

Her high school career thus far has seen her earn two Arizona Beach Volleyball Pairs State Championships, three All-League First-Team honors, and her league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

“She also knows how to win and that’s very apparent by her results in tournaments,” Olson added. “But what I appreciate most about Lauren is her ability to play with anyone and make them better. She adds value to the environment that she is in.”

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Spencer McLachlin named new women’s volleyball head coach – The UCSD Guardian

Published

5 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

On Tuesday, Dec. 23, UC San Diego Athletics announced that USC associate head coach Spencer McLachlin will be the next head coach of Triton women’s volleyball. He replaces Melanie Greene, who stepped down on Dec. 6 after two seasons as head coach.

The coaching change comes after a tumultuous 6-24 season where a promising Triton team never found its rhythm. The Tritons were eliminated from postseason contention with three games left in the season following a loss to UC Riverside on Nov. 17. Assistant coach Kara Barkdoll Coy was named interim head coach for the final six games of the season after Greene’s departure.

“Spencer brings exactly what we need at this moment,” athletic director Andy Fee said in a press release. “He’s helped build winning programs, developed All-Americans, and knows how to compete at the highest level.”

McLachlin played collegiately at Stanford, winning a national championship with the Cardinal in 2010 and ending his four years in Palo Alto ranked third in career kills. McLachlin then served as an assistant coach at Hawai’i, California, UCLA, and Indiana before joining USC as associate head coach in 2023. This past season, the Trojans went 25-7 but fell in the second round of the NCAA Championship in a five-set upset loss against Cal Poly. McLachlin’s new position at UCSD will be his first head coaching role.

“I am thrilled to join UC San Diego as the Head Coach of the women’s volleyball program,” McLachlin said. “This is an incredible opportunity for my family and me to be part of an historic and beautiful university and build a program with great potential.”

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Volleyball Inks Four Highly Touted Transfers to 2026 Roster

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5 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU Volleyball team announced the signings of outside hitter Suli Davis, libero Victoria Harris, opposite hitter Gabi Placide and setter Ava Sarafa to the 2026 roster on Monday.

Arriving for the spring 2026 semester, Placide brings in three years of collegiate playing experience; Harris and Sarafa come to the Hilltop with two and Davis comes to SMU with one year playing at the college level.

Details of the four transfers are below.

Suli Davis, So., 6-2, Outside Hitter, Euless, Texas – BYU

AVCA Second Team All-American (2025)

AVCA West Region Freshman of the Year (2025)

AVCA All-West Region First Team (2025)

Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2025)

All-Big 12 First Team (2025)

Big 12 All-Rookie Team (2025)

6x Big 12 Rookie of the Week (Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 2025)

2025 (Freshman at BYU)

–Broke BYU’s all-time freshman kills record during the Cougars’ five-set win over Utah on Nov. 26

–Broke BYU’s rally-scoring era freshman kills record against Arizona on Nov. 19

–27th player in Big 12 history with 500+ kills in a single season

–30 double-digit kill matches, third-most in the rally-scoring era at BYU

–Team-leading 10 double-doubles

–Led the team in kills in 22 matches, including 13 of the Cougars’ final 14

–Played in all 31 of the Cougars’ matches and 119 sets, starting 29 matches

–Recorded 541 kills, third-most in a rally-scoring era season at BYU, 252 digs, 43 total blocks, including 10 solo stuffs, 31 assists and 25 service aces

–Finished No. 1 in total kills (541), kills per set (4.55) and points per set (4.97) in the Cougars’ all-time freshman record book

–Finished No. 1 in sets played (119), total kills (541), kills per set (4.55), total points (591.5) and points per set (4.97) in the freshman rally-scoring era at BYU

–Is also second in double-doubles (10) and third in solo blocks (10) in the Cougars’ freshman rally-era record book

–Career-high 28 kills in back-to-back matches (at Utah on Nov. 14 and vs. Arizona Nov. 19), the second-most kills by a freshman in the rally-scoring era at BYU

Victoria Harris, Jr., 5-4, DS/Libero, Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina

SEC Community Service Team (2025)

SEC All-Freshman Team (2024)

SEC Freshman of the Week (Nov. 18, 2024)

2025 (Sophomore at South Carolina)

-Appeared in all 26 matches for the Gamecocks in her second season with the program

-Finished fourth in the SEC with 4.11 digs per set, totaling 399 digs

-Added 120 assists and 16 aces in her sophomore campaign

-Had seven matches with 20+ digs and 21 matches with double-digit digs

-Logged a season-best 27 digs at Missouri on Oct. 24

-Second in the SEC during conference play, averaging 4.31 digs per set for South Carolina

-Finished with 795 digs, 223 assists and 35 aces as a Gamecock in two seasons

Gabi Placide, Sr., 6-0, Opposite Hitter, Centennial, Colo. – Ole Miss

AVCA South Region Honorable Mention (2025)

SEC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 22, 2025)

AVCA West Region Honorable Mention (2024)

Big Sky All-Conference First Team (2024)

2x Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 21, Oct. 28, 2024)

Big Sky Conference Fall All-Academic Team (2024)

Big Sky Outstanding Freshman Award (2023)

Big Sky All-Academic Team (2023)

2025 (Junior at Ole Miss)

-Started and played in all 29 matches for the Rebels

-Led the team with 558.5 total points, 5.12 points per set, ranking third in the SEC and 15th in the NCAA

-Registered 488 kills (31st in the NCAA) on a .213 hitting percentage in her lone season with Ole Miss

-Logged 34 aces (sixth in the SEC) to lead Ole Miss and added 182 digs, 1.67 digs per set.

-Had 10 matches with 20+ kills and logged double-digit kills in 25 of 29 matches

-Registered five double-doubles, including a 19-kill and 14-dig outing against LSU on Nov. 2

-Had a career-high 28 kills against Alabama on Oct. 31

-Notched 22 kills, 10 digs and five aces against Texas on Oct. 24

Ava Sarafa, R-Jr., 6-0, Setter, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. – Kentucky

Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll (2024)

First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll (2023-24)

2025 (Redshirt Sophomore at Kentucky)
–Played in 27 matches and 80 sets for a Kentucky program that reached the final four in 2025
–Finished the season with 136 assists, 57 digs and 10 aces
–Logged 43 assists, 10 digs and six blocks against Nebraska on Aug. 31

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