Texas volleyball: UT gets 3 commitments for 2028, including elite setter Taimane Ainu'u
Texas volleyball laid the foundation for its future early this week by getting three commitments for its 2028 recruiting class, including elite setter Taimane Ainu'u of Hawaii.
The 5-foot-11 Ainu'u ranks as the No. 1 overall prospect for her class by PrepVolleyball and the No. 2 overall prospect by PrepDig. She won gold with Team USA's under-19 squad at the Pan-American Games last summer and plays both setter and outside hitter for her high school and club teams but projects as a full-time setter in college. Her commitment continues the recruiting pipeline between the islands and Texas coach Jerritt Elliott; recent players Keonilei Akana, Devin Kahahawai and Saige Ka'aha'aina-Torres as well as current Texas setter Rella Binney all come from Hawaii.
Texas also picked up a pledge from Sarah Floyd of Highland Park High School in Dallas. The 6-3 Floyd ranks as the No. 8 player in her class by PrepDig and No. 5 by PrepVolleyball.
Cala Haffner, a 5-8 libero from Indiana, also pledged to Texas this week. She ranks as the No. 5 player in her class by PrepDig and No. 8 by PrepVolleyball and will be the latest backrow player from the Hoosier State to play at Texas. All-American libero Emma Halter completed her collegiate career this past season, and current Texas player Ramsey Gary returns in 2026 for her senior season after transferring from Indiana last summer. Haffner, who played on Team USA's under-19 squad at the Pan-American Games with Ainu'u, says that recent connection between her home state and Texas played a big role in her commitment.
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"Ramsey said (Texas) was a perfect fit for her," said Haffner, who communicated with both Gary and Halter during her recruitment, according to a story in the Indianapolis Star. "She feels super valued there. ... It was a super good decision for her."
The Longhorns' 2027 class also includes three players, including 6-4 outside hitter Ireland Real of California, 6-3 middle blocker Camille Presley of Austin High and 5-9 libero Ella Olson of California.
This year's crop of freshmen includes setter Genevieve Harris of North Carolina, libero Emma Cugino of Ohio and outside hitter Henley Anderson of Dripping Springs.
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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 11:08 AM.