Texas volleyball nabs outside hitters Ireland Real, Ella Olson on national signing day

Texas Longhorns head coach Jerritt Elliott instructs the team as the Texas Longhorns take on Auburn at Gregory Gymnasium in Austin on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman) Texas volleyball signed outside hitters Ireland Real and Ella Olson Wednesday on a quiet national signing day.The 6-foot-4 Real, a current member of the U.S. Women's under-19 national team, also helped the under-23 national team win gold at the 2026 NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup this past summer. The Southern California native ranks as the No. 4 prospect in the nation for the 2027 class by PrepDig. The Texas Longhorns celebrate beating Texas A&M in the Lone Star Showdown volleyball match at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman) The 5-9 Olson, also a product of Southern California, will become the first Texas volleyball player to compete for both the indoor and beach programs. PrepDig ranks her as the 49th best player in the 2027 class.MORE: Where Texas volleyball ranks in Nov. 9 poll update with a week left in regular seasonBased on its current roster construction, Texas doesn't have much room to add players, although the transfer portal will likely impact the Longhorns in the offseason. Programs are now allowed 18 scholarship players. Texas currently has 16 players on its roster, although middle blocker Mackenzie Collins is a walk-on since she competes for the Texas track and field program on a scholarship.All 16 of those players retain at least one more year of eligibility. Earlier this week, Torrey Stafford, Nya Bunton and Ramsey Gary announced their intentions to return for a fifth collegiate season.Sign up for the Daily Briefing from the Austin American-Statesman. Start your day with the must-read headlines from Austin's most trusted news source.This article originally published at Texas volleyball nabs outside hitters Ireland Real, Ella Olson on national signing day.