Paige Durrenberger

Joined:

Paige Durrenberger is a sports writer and Economics student at the University of Texas at Austin. She has covered golf, softball, and the Texas Stars for The Daily Texan and is also a contributing writer for 5Wins. Raised in Dallas, Texas, when Durrenberger isn’t covering sports, she’s either out running with her dog Bailey or cheering on whichever Dallas team is in season.

Florida outside hitter Jordyn Byrd (14) hits past Texas middle blocker Nya Bunton (55) and outside hitter Cari Spears (23) during an NCAA women’s volleyball game at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactec arena in Gainesville, FL on Friday, November 7, 2025. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

Texas Tech's head volleyball coach Tony Graystone stands on the sidelines against Kansas State in a Big 12 volleyball match, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022, at the United Supermarkets Arena.

0017 20220928 Texastech Kansasstate Volleyball Ar 0261 Jpg

The SMU Mustangs talk in a huddle after a point.

Texas outside hitter Cari Spears (23) serves during their match against Marquette on Monday, August 24, 2026, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The match was part of the four-day American Volleyball Association First Serve event.

Dec 16, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, US; Texas Longhorns head coach Jerritt Elliott answers questions during the press conference the day before the championship match at the CHI Health Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

College

Texas volleyball head coach Jerritt Elliott spent time in the Players Era Volleyball Showcase talking about how the NCAA can change and improve postseason play to capitalize on the growing popularity of college volleyball.

Aug 27, 2026; Arlington, TX, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers players celebrate a point during their volleyball match against the Florida Gators at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

College

No. 1 Nebraska made a statement against No. 2 Texas, while No. 18 TCU bounced back against UNLV to close out the inaugural Players Era Volleyball Showcase in Las Vegas.

Abby Vander Wal holds hands with a teammate before a match at the First Serve Event.

Injuries

Sophomore outside hitter Abby Vander Wal is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a knee injury against TCU, leaving No. 2 Texas searching for answers at the pin.

Dec 17, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, US; Texas Longhorns Logan Eggleston (33) attacks against Louisville Cardinals Aiko Jones (15) at CHI Health Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

College

No. 2 Texas handled No. 18 TCU in straight sets Saturday at the Players Era Volleyball Showcase, while No. 1 Nebraska cruised past UNLV to set up a highly anticipated Sunday matchup.

Aug 27, 2026; Arlington, TX, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers players celebrate a point during their volleyball match against the SMU Mustangs at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

College

No. 1 Nebraska and No. 2 Texas headline the inaugural Players Era Volleyball Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada, alongside No. 18 TCU and UNLV.

Dec 18, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers outside hitter Blaire Bayless (8) hits the ball during the first set against the Texas A&M Aggies in a 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship semifinal match at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

College

No. 2 Texas survived a five-set battle against Marquette, while No. 4 Pittsburgh swept Xavier to close out the final day of the AVCA First Serve in Milwaukee, Wisc.

Dec 18, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Wisconsin Badgers libero/defensive specialist Kristen Simon (7) celebrates after a point during the fourth set against the Kentucky Wildcats in a 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship semifinal match at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

College

The second day of the AVCA First Serve featured another pair of high-profile matchups as teams began making their first impressions of the 2026 season.

Dec 21, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Texas A&M Aggies opposite hitter Logan Lednicky (9) celebrates after a point is scored in the third set against Kentucky in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship at T-Mobile Center.Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-Imagn Images

College

What is the reasoning for scheduling highly competitive matchups early in the season? Several head coaches are using these games to prepare their teams for the grueling NCAA Tournament.

Dec 21, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of the court during the second set of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Texas A&M Aggies at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Texas, Texas A&M, Louisville, Arizona State, Pitt and Kentucky are just some of the teams headlining the AVCA First Serve showcase. This opening weekend event features ranked matchups and early tests for the top volleyball teams.

Dec 17, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, US; Texas Longhorns Logan Eggleston (33) attacks against the Louisville Cardinals at CHI Health Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Three things to know about Texas volleyball after the Longhorns’ first looks, including early takeaways and what stands out most.

Dec 17, 2022; Omaha, Nebraska, US; Louisville Cardinals Aiko Jones (15) attacks the block from the Texas Longhorns at CHI Health Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

The Longhorns grabbed the win from the Rice Owls, but not without some difficulties at the service line.

A LOVB Houston player high fives her teammates on the way to the court.

LOVB is partnering with Inner Circle Sports to guide investment and expansion as franchise values continue to rise.