What Is 2012 Texas Longhorns volleyball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 Texas Longhorns volleyball team represented the University of Texas at Austin in the NCAA Division I season, finishing with a 28–5 record and advancing to the regional semifinals. Head coach Jerritt Elliott led the team, which competed in the Big 12 Conference.

Key Facts

The 2012 Texas Longhorns volleyball team finished the season with a 28–5 overall record
They competed in the Big 12 Conference and won the conference title with a 17–1 record
Head coach Jerritt Elliott led the team in his 11th season at Texas
The team advanced to the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals (Sweet 16)
Key players included junior outside hitter Bailey Webster and senior libero Cat McCoy

Overview

The 2012 Texas Longhorns volleyball team represented the University of Texas at Austin during the NCAA Division I women’s volleyball season. Competing in the Big 12 Conference, the team was led by head coach Jerritt Elliott, who was in his 11th season at the helm. The Longhorns were coming off a national championship appearance in 2011 and aimed to maintain their elite status.

Despite high expectations, the team faced challenges due to roster turnover and injuries but still managed a strong season. They finished with a 28–5 overall record and a 17–1 mark in conference play, securing the Big 12 title. Their performance earned them a spot in the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the regional semifinals.

28–5 record: The team won 28 matches and lost only 5 during the regular and postseason combined, showcasing consistent performance.
Big 12 Champions: Texas clinched the 2012 Big 12 Conference title with a dominant 17–1 conference record, edging out rivals like Nebraska.
Jerritt Elliott: In his 11th year as head coach, Elliott continued building a powerhouse program with disciplined training and strategic recruiting.
NCAA Tournament: The Longhorns earned a national seed and advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling to eventual finalist Oregon.
Key players: Standouts included junior Bailey Webster, who recorded 3.2 kills per set, and senior libero Cat McCoy, a defensive anchor.

How It Works

The 2012 season operated under standard NCAA Division I volleyball rules and scheduling, with a mix of non-conference and conference play leading into the postseason. The structure allowed teams to build rankings and secure tournament bids based on performance and strength of schedule.

Regular Season (Aug–Nov): The team played a 33-match schedule, including 18 regular-season games and 15 conference matches culminating in the Big 12 tournament.
Non-Conference Play: Early-season matches against strong opponents like Nebraska and Washington helped boost the team’s RPI and tournament resume.
Big 12 Conference: With a 17–1 record, Texas dominated the conference, winning 17 of 18 matches and securing the top seed in the conference tournament.
NCAA Tournament: As a national seed, Texas received a first-round bye and won its second-round match before losing in the regional semifinals to Oregon.
Player Roles: The team relied on a balanced attack, with John Skylar contributing 1.15 blocks per set and Chiaka Ogbogu emerging as a future star.
Home Court Advantage: Playing at Gregory Gymnasium, the Longhorns posted a 14–1 home record, drawing strong student and fan support throughout the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2012 Texas Longhorns compared to other top teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Kills per Set	Defensive Saves
Texas Longhorns	28–5	17–1	13.8	14.2
Nebraska Cornhuskers	27–5	16–2	14.1	13.9
Washington Huskies	29–3	17–1	14.3	14.5
Oregon Ducks	30–3	18–0	14.6	15.1
Illinois Fighting Illini	26–6	15–3	13.5	13.7

The table highlights that while Texas had a slightly lower kill average than top teams like Oregon and Washington, their defensive consistency and conference dominance kept them among the nation’s elite. Their 17–1 conference record tied for the best in the Big 12, and their 14.2 defensive saves per set ranked in the top 10 nationally.

Why It Matters

The 2012 season was significant in maintaining Texas’s reputation as a national volleyball powerhouse, even in a transitional year. The team’s success helped sustain recruiting momentum and laid the foundation for future deep tournament runs.

Program Continuity: After a national final appearance in 2011, the 2012 season proved Texas could remain competitive despite losing key seniors.
Recruiting Boost: Strong performance helped attract top recruits like Chiaka Ogbogu, who would later become an All-American.
Big 12 Dominance: Winning the conference title reinforced Texas’s leadership role in the Big 12 before its eventual move to the SEC.
Player Development: The season allowed younger players to gain experience, preparing them for leadership roles in 2013 and beyond.
National Exposure: Television appearances and NCAA Tournament games increased visibility for women’s volleyball at UT.
Coaching Legacy: Jerritt Elliott’s leadership in 2012 further solidified his status as one of the top coaches in collegiate volleyball.

Overall, the 2012 Texas Longhorns volleyball team exemplified resilience and excellence, contributing to a legacy that continues to shape the program’s identity and success in the years that followed.