On Saturday, August 19, a little less than a week before the start of the 2017 NCAA Division I women's volleyball season, preseason No. 1 Texas took the floor in Gregory Gymnasium for the first time this year.

The ensuing Orange vs. White scrimmage was Texas fans first opportunity to check out this year's fantastic group of freshmen, welcome senior middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu back to the squad, and speculate about the starting lineup.

Here are five things we took away from the event.

1. Lexi Sun: as good as advertised.

There's a lot of pressure that comes with being the top-ranked recruit in your class, but it doesn't seem to phase Texas freshman Lexi Sun. The 6-foot-2 outside hitter from Solana Beach, California, was without a doubt the most dominant offensive player in Gregory Gymnasium on Saturday. Although the graduation of Paulina Prieto-Cerame was a loss for Texas, head coach Jerritt Elliott has once again reloaded with equal or better talent.

2. The Longhorns have depth.

Elliott tried out a couple of different combinations on the "white" (projected starting lineup) side. Sun and Micaya White played the entire four sets for the white, as did freshman setter Ashley Shook, libero Cat McCoy, and middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu.

Somewhat surprisingly, we did see a couple different players in the opposite spot. All-American and player of the year candidate Ebony Nwanebu started at opposite for white, but Yaazie Bedart-Ghani also got some playing time, and did quite well. As Nwanebu herself admits, the Texas practice gym is incredibly competitive and no one's spot is safe.

3. More Brionne, please!

One player we were incredibly excited to see in action was freshman middle Brionne Butler. The Kendleton, Texas, native led the U.S. women's junior national team in scoring at the FIVB U20 World Championships this summer and was billed as one of the top 10 recruits in the class of 2017. Standing 6-4 and touching 10 feet, 11 inches, Butler could blossom into one of the best blockers in the country.

During the Orange vs. White scrimmage, Butler split time on the white side with junior Morgan Johnson, but with her blocking potential, we wouldn't be surprised to see her earn the starting nod.

4. The No. 1 team in the country, but not without growing pains.

Bringing in a new starting setter is never easy, even for the No. 1 team in the country returning all but two starters. The connection between freshman setter Ashley Shook and her hitters -- in particular Nwanebu on the right side -- was a little shaky, but the Sports Performance product showed glimmers of how good she can be, and we don't doubt she'll hit her stride after a few weeks of competition.

5. Elliott has a plethora of defensive options to deploy off the bench.

Texas has always been known for its athletic, high-flying hitters, but this year defensive will be a strength as well, with senior libero Cat McCoy and defensive specialists Autumn Rounsaville, Claire Hahn, and Olivia Zelon. All three were steady contributors in the scrimmage, and could contend for playing time this fall.

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