No one appreciates Gregory Gymnasium more than Emma Halter, the senior libero for Texas volleyball who regularly gets her name chanted by the rowdy home crowd every time she steps to the service line.
But when Halter first got a glimpse of the artist renderings at the impending new volleyball arena on the southeastern corner of the Texas campus, she couldn’t help but feel a little envy.
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Texas Longhorns libero Emma Halter (2) waits for a serve during the match against Kentucky at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Austin.
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The Texas Longhorns react to scoring the final point to complete a sweep of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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“I think the new arena is going to be so cool,” Halter said during a Thursday press conference preceding this weekend’s regional volleyball tournament at Gregory Gymnasium. “It looks awesome, and I’m really excited for everyone that gets to play there. But Greg is a really, really special place, so I’m sure they’ll come back for a game each season or something. Or if they don’t, they should.”
On Thursday, Texas volleyball coach Jerritt Elliott said he doesn’t anticipate the new volleyball arena opening until the 2029 season at the earliest. But he’s also worked on facility projects before and understands the flexibility — and the patience — that they always require.
“Construction is never, never on time, so we’ll see how it goes,” he said. “But they (Texas athletics) have done a really good job with all their other projects.”
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Jerritt Elliott: Texas AD Chris Del Conte ‘like Santa Claus’
Regardless of the time frame, Wednesday’s announcement that the University of Texas has issued a request for proposal to seek private developers to build a 6,000-seat public arena for the Texas volleyball team and an adjacent student-athlete housing facility just south of Moody Center fulfills a longtime goal for Elliott.
It’s the latest step forward for the Longhorns’ volleyball program, Elliott said. And it’s the latest project for an athletic program headed by director Chris Del Conte that’s on a full-fledged construction spree. The new covered practice field and football facility is currently under construction just south of Royal-Memorial Stadium and across Robert Dedman Drive from the future site of the new volleyball arena.
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“Super excited about it,” Elliott said. “I think one of the things that our administrators do is they are always innovative. Chris Del Conte does an amazing job with that, and we have so much support. He’s kind of like Santa Claus; you bring him stuff, and he figures out a way to be able to get it to happen.
“What he’s done for this sport and what he’s done for these women (volleyball players) is really special. I mean, who would have thought 25 years ago that they were going to get their own arena and play in front of all these incredible graphics and systems and comfort for our fans? It’s just an amazing time where this sport and where women (athletes) are going right now, and it’s so cool to see them grow.”
The new volleyball arena and student-housing development will be located on the southeast corner of the University of Texas, south of the Moody Center and along I-35.
Photo courtesy of University of Texas
An artist rendering shows the new volleyball arena and student-housing development, which will be located on the southeast corner of the University of Texas, south of the Moody Center and along I-35.
Photo courtesy of University of Texas
Texas Longhorns libero Emma Halter (2) serves during the third set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) celebrates a point in the third set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns libero/defensive specialist Callie Krueger (12) sticks the “Texas” card on the bracket after Texas swept the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns libero Emma Halter (2) and setter Rella Binney (3) celebrate together after sweeping the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) celebrates with her teammates after sweeping the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Abby Vander Wal (6) sings “The Eyes of Texas” with setter Ella Swindle (1) and libero Emma Halter (2) after sweeping the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) sends the ball over the net during the third set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns libero Ramsey Gary (32) bumps the ball during the third set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) and middle blocker Nya Bunton (55) block an attempt from Penn State during the first set between Texas and theNittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) sets the ball in the third set of the their 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) puts the ball over the net as Penn State Nittany Lions setter Addie Lyon (7) defends in the second set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns middle blocker Nya Bunton (55) leaps to block an attempt from Penn State Nittany Lions right side hitter Kennedy Martin (18) in the second set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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A Texas fan signals a timeout during a Texas run of points in the second set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) hits the ball over the net during the first set between Texas and the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) bumps the ball behind her in the third set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) and libero Emma Halter (2) close their eyes during the National Anthem ahead of the their 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Abby Vander Wal (6) watches her block fall on the Penn State side of the net in the second set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Abby Vander Wal (6) hits the ball over in the third set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Abby Vander Wal (6) sends the ball over as Penn State Nittany Lions right side hitter Kennedy Martin (18) defends during the first set between Texas and the Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Cari Spears (23) and middle blocker Ayden Ames (5) leap to block an attempt from Penn State during the first set between Texas and the Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Abby Vander Wal (6) puts the ball over as Penn State Nittany Lions setter Addie Lyon (7) reaches to defend during the first set between Texas and the Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Cari Spears (23) smiles during the lineup announcement ahead of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Cari Spears (23) and middle blocker Ayden Ames (5) leap to block during the first set between Texas and the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Abby Vander Wal (6) sends the ball over the net as Penn State Nittany Lions middle blocker Jordan Hopp (5) and setter Addie Lyon (7) defend during the first set between Texas and the Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns libero Emma Halter (2) applauds her teammates during the lineup announcement ahead of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Texas Volleyball puts their “Horns Up” ahead of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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The Texas Longhorns rush onto the court to celebrate after sweeping the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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The Texas Longhorns react to scoring the final point to complete a sweep of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) serves during the second set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Devin Kahahawai (44) and middle blocker Nya Bunton (55) attempt to block a hit from Penn State during the third set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) leaps to block an attempt from Penn State Nittany Lions middle blocker Jordan Hopp (5) in the second set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns head coach Jerritt Elliott watches the game in the third set of the Longhorns’ 3-0 win over the Nittany Lions in the second round of the DI NCAA Volleyball Tournament, Dec 6, 2025 in the Gregory Gymnasium.
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Moody Center: Atmosphere now extends to Texas volleyball
The Longhorns’ volleyball team got a taste of playing in a state-of-the-art facility when it hosted Stanford early in the season at Moody Center, the home of the Texas men’s and women’s basketball programs. The experience drew praise from Halter and outside hitter Torrey Stafford, who joined Halter and Elliott at Thursday’s press conference. The fan experience at Moody Center will translate to the volleyball arena, Elliott said.
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“If I asked these two what it was like to play in Moody Center, I mean, they were just blown away by it,” Elliott said, motioning to Stafford and Halter. “It was just such a cool environment. Look, at Texas, they’re not going to do anything halfway. They’re going to be all in. Chris Del Conte is a believer of that. There’re so many incredible people that work here and that invest in this, and they want the best experience for our student-athletes on and off the court.”
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Venerable Gregory Gymnasium first opened in 1930 and has undergone several major renovations over the decades, but the 5,000-seat arena remains a raucous, cozy and borderline chaotic atmosphere with fans seating right next to the court. Will Elliott be a part of bringing Gregory Gymnasium’s unique energy to the new arena?
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“I better be,” he said. “We’re working on that and we’re helping design it. The great thing about Gregory is there’s not a lot of resources, right? You watch the game, and you’re a part of it. There’s not all the glamor when you get into nicer arenas, where there’s more entertainment to distract you a little bit more . There’ll be better acoustics, there’ll be better visuals, it’ll be more exciting.
“With marketing and everybody else, we can make it a really special arena where there’s an environment that is so unique to Texas and what the brand is. We just want our fans to stand up and be a part of the game and be exhausted. That’s what we expect at Texas volleyball, that you come and participate and be a part of it and feel the energy and feel the momentum.”