Two Texas Longhorn volleyball players awarded SEC weekly honors

AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 2 Texas Volleyball remains undefeated after facing two opponents this past week, improving to 4-0 on the season. After the team’s most recent win over the No. 6 Stanford Cardinal, two Longhorns, junior Torrey Stafford and freshman Cari Spears, were awarded SEC weekly honors. 

Stafford was awarded two SEC honors as the Overall and Offensive Player of the Week, leading the Longhorns with 42 kills over the past two-game span.

When Texas faced Stanford on Sunday, Stafford recorded a team high of 18 kills. In that game, Stafford also tied team highs in blocks with two and digs with 10. Sunday’s performance was highlighted by Stafford’s five kills in the final set against Stanford to help the Longhorns to a 3-2 victory over the Cardinal. 

Spears was awarded SEC Freshman of the Week honors, also playing a pivotal role in the Longhorns’ victories over the past week, including Sunday’s win. Recording 25 kills over the past two games, Spears tallied 14 in the team’s matchup against Stanford, the second most behind Stafford. Spears, who is the daughter of former Dallas Cowboys defensive end and current ESPN personality Marcus Spears, is second on the team in total kills for the season through four games, totaling 44. 

Stafford and Spears’ honors mark the second consecutive week that at least one Longhorn volleyball player was awarded SEC weekly honors. Texas libero Emma Halter also earned SEC Overall Player of the Week to start the season. 

Stafford, Spears and Halter will look to maintain their impressive play and another top 10 win on Wednesday when the Longhorns face No. 4 Louisville.