Her decision to attend the University of Texas is one that's been even better than she thought.

A few months into the season, nothing has been able to stop the second-ranked Texas volleyball team, and one of the biggest reasons for that is the team's newest setter Ashley Engle.

She was one of the nation's most sought-after recruits and had no shortage of options when it came time to decide where she'd play college volleyball.

Even with some of the nation's finest programs begging her to stay in her native California, she resisted.

Her decision to attend the University of Texas is one that's been even better than she thought.

"I think in general the team and where we're at now has surpassed my expectations. I think just not missing home like I thought I would -- now I'm contemplating, 'Do I stay in Austin, do I go back home?' I never would have imagined that," Engle said.

No doubt a big reason her time in Central Texas has been so great is the way both she and her teammates have played together on the volleyball court.

		WATCH THE VIDEO
	Ashley Engle News 8's Mike Berman explains why Engle's ability to switch roles has led the UT volleyball team to a perfect season so far.

Individually Engle stands six foot, three inches tall and is a three-time “All-Conference” pick, two-time “All-American,” and the 2006 “Big 12” freshman of the year.

As a team, Texas has finished no worse than seventh nationally, during her tenure. She has also won back-to-back “Big 12” titles.

Her coach said her leadership is a major part of UT's recent success.

"She's very special. She's got a great inner-glow as a competitor that demands respect and loyalty," Longhorn’s head coach Jerritt Elliott said.

Perhaps however, nothing demands more respect than what Engle did this season.

All of that success during her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons came as a hitter, but when Elliott asked her to set, she said yes. Since that decision, the second ranked Longhorns have yet to lose in 2009.

"I kind of approached the season with a whole new attitude, just trying to enjoy it for what it is and being my last one and put everything out there [with] no regrets. I think if we're going to be successful with me setting, that’s great," Engle said.

Fellow teammate and outside hitter, Juliann Faucette said Engle’s attitude is inspiring.

"Her being willing to change that position, first of all and then second of all, just being so good at it. I'm just in awe," Faucette said.

In her future, the fiery left-hander would love to play on the United States Olympic team, and her coach said with continued work, that's a very real possibility.

	Her coach said her leadership is a major part of UT's recent success.

More than anything though, after coming so close to a spot in the National Championship match last season, Engle wants to bring her team back to the Final Four and have another chance to win a title.

"We're looking at Big 12 first, and then hopefully postseason after that. We want a National Championship. I want one, our team wants one, we want one for each other, [and] our coaches want it for us. So it's definitely up there," Engle said.

Engle and the Longhorns swept Oklahoma on Saturday at Gregory Gym to move to a perfect 12 and zero on the season.