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Texas setter Ella Swindle makes stunning decision about her future with Longhorns volleyball

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brian Davis | Last updated Dec 16, 2024 4:11 PM ET

Imagine for a moment if Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers had led the Longhorns to the national championship last season only to show up in 2024 and learn that he’d been replaced.

Even if it was Arch Manning, Longhorns fans would still be skeptical, if not downright apoplectic if it didn't go according to script.

That’s essentially what happened to UT setter Ella Swindle over in Gregory Gym.

Swindle led the Longhorns to the 2023 national championship as a freshman. Then, she lost her job to Averi Carlson, a transfer from Baylor. Once the Longhorns were eliminated from the NCAA tournament last Friday, all eyes turned to the transfer portal.

Swindle isn’t going anywhere.

“Trials to testimonies,” Swindle posted on her Instagram account on Monday. “Longhorn nation, see you next year.”

The response was quick and decisive.

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“Couldn’t be more proud of you,” Emma Halter responded on Swindle’s post.

“SO PROUD OF YOU,” teammate Jenna Wenaas responded in all caps.

Another teammate Reese Emerick responded, “I love all that you are.”

In volleyball, the setter is the team’s quarterback. The whole operation revolves around her. If you don’t have a setter, your team is unlikely to win. Not only did Texas win with the 6-foot-3 Swindle, the Longhorns won the NCAA national championship for the second straight year. She was the first freshman to lead her team to the championship since 2016.

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A post shared by Ella Swindle (@ellaswindle_)

But this is important: Elliott is paid to assemble the best team possible. In this era of transfer portal wackiness, it’s getting almost impossible to build programs. Coaches in all sports are now merely assembling teams from year to year.

The 5-11 Carlson was no slouch; any team would want her. She was the 2021-22 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the year and two-year starter at Baylor. This was after her high school team Lovejoy won three straight state championships.

What many don’t know is Swindle played through the 2023 Final Four injured. Elliott was strengthening his depth. The coach tried to use both setters this season with a 6-2 offensive lineup, but that caused other problems elsewhere, so Elliott went back to the 5-1. Only he went with Carlson instead of Swindle.

Still, Swindle had some critical contributions. For example, she came off the bench last Friday against Creighton and threw two sensational sets that went for kills to help Texas win the first set.

Carlson finished the season with 787 assists, averaging 8.5 per set. Swindle finished with 265 assists, averaging 4.1 per set.

From a team standpoint, Texas couldn’t be in a better situation for 2025. The Horns will have two of the best setters in the country, allowing the coaches to look for ways to replace the offense generated by seniors Madisen Skinner and Wenaas.

“It's so fun watching you play, girl!!,” Texas ex Chiaka Ogbogu responded on Swindle’s post. “Making us all proud!!”

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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