Texas setter Ella Swindle confirmed she will not return to the Longhorns for her final year of collegiate eligibility in 2027.
The announcement followed the team’s recent victory over Ole Miss, which served as a “farewell of sorts” for the veteran player.
Swindle, a member of the 2023 recruiting class, played a key role in the team’s national championship run during her freshman season.
She earned freshman All-American honors that year after starting all 32 matches, according to “reporting by the Austin American-Statesman.”
Despite her initial success, Swindle saw her role fluctuate in subsequent seasons as the coaching staff utilized advanced metrics to determine the optimal offensive rotation.
This year, she appeared in 10 matches while falling behind other setters in the lineup, as noted by “local sports coverage.”
Reflecting on her time in Austin, Swindle expressed gratitude for the program and emphasized that her faith helped her navigate the challenges of her changing role.
“I would give anything to be out on that court, but I also know that if I were the one out on that court, I would want someone else being a great teammate to me,” “Swindle told reporters.”
Longhorns head coach Jerritt Elliott praised Swindle’s character and maturity throughout her tenure, acknowledging the difficulty of his personnel decisions.
“Coaching is a cruel world because I’ve got to make decisions and it affects everybody,” “Elliott stated while fighting back tears.”
While Swindle’s future plans remain unconfirmed, she noted she is not finished with the sport.
“I’m definitely not done with volleyball,” “she remarked following the match.”
The Longhorns will conclude their regular season on Sunday against LSU.
Other teammates from the 2023 class, including Torrey Stafford and Nya Bunton, have already committed to returning to the program for the 2027 season, per “the Austin American-Statesman.”