No. 16 Texas volleyball announced on its social media pages Tuesday that senior outside hitter Torrey Stafford, senior libero Ramsey Gary and senior middle blocker Nya Bunton are all set to return to the program in 2027.
All three are key pieces to Texas’ rotation this season and were previously expected to run out of college eligibility at the end of the season. Texas is now set to lose just two pieces of its rotation to college eligibility in senior setter Ella Swindle and senior libero Anja Kujundžić.
Stafford has been Texas’ best player in 2026 and leads the Longhorns in kills by a large margin with 341. Following two years with Pitt, Stafford transferred to Texas. Stafford received First Team AVCA All-American honors in 2025 with Texas and is in position to receive All-American honors again this season.
Stafford has also been a vocal leader in the locker room, mentoring younger players like sophomore outside hitter Cari Spears and freshman outside hitter Henley Anderson. Stafford’s experience will contribute in the locker room for another year.
Gary has been a defensive anchor for Texas in 2026, tying Texas’ single-game record for digs with 34 against Arkansas on Oct. 9. In her second season with the Longhorns, Gary has recorded 302 digs.
Bunton has been one of Texas’ most impactful risers this season. She has spent all four years of her collegiate career with Texas, learning behind former standout middle blocker Ayden Ames before taking the leap as a senior and starting in her first year.
Barring any transfers, with the trio returning for a fifth year of eligibility, Texas will return the starting lineup that came into the 2026 season ranked No. 2 in the nation. Stafford, Gary and Bunton will join Spears, junior setter Rella Binney and sophomore outside hitter Abby Vander Wal, who is currently recovering from an ACL tear sustained against TCU at the beginning of the season.
