One More for the Lady Vols: BOTR Backstroker Ella Busquets Verbals to Tennessee for 2027

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Ella Busquets, a double-legacy Lady Vol, has made it official with a verbal commitment to the University of Tennessee for 2027-28. She wrote on social media:

“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Tennessee! Thank you to my family, friends, and coaches at Diablo Aquatics for being so supportive throughout this journey. I especially would like to thank Coach Ashley, Coach Matt, and the staff at Tennessee for giving me this amazing opportunity! Go Vols!🩵🍊”

Notwithstanding the fact the Tennessee is putting together a legendary recruiting class for 2027 (more on that in a minute), Busquets may be the least surprising verbal commit of the cohort. Both her parents swam for Tennessee in the 1990s. Her father, Ricardo Busquets, was an NCAA champion on the Vols’ 4×50 medley relay in 1996, was a bronze medalist in the 50 free at 1997 SC Worlds and 1998 LC Worlds, and represented Puerto Rico at the 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympic Games. Her mother, Emily Plummer, was a 2x All-American Lady Vol, won a U.S. Nationals title in the 4×100 free relay, swam the 100 back at 2000 Olympic Trials, and represented Puerto Rico at the Pan American Games.

Ella is a junior at Monte Vista High School in Danville, California. She trains year-round with Diablo Aquatics and, like both her parents, specializes in backstroke and freestyle. We considered her a “Best of the Rest” recruit on our Way Too Early list of top girls’ swimmers in the high school class of 2027. Also, like her parents, she has Puerto Rican nationality.

Busquets kicked off the 2024-25 short-course season with PBs in the 50 free (23.34), 100 free (51.09), and 200 back (2:00.59) at the PLS Senior Open in November. She added a 54.12 lifetime best in the 100 back at Winter Juniors West, finishing in 14th place. In high school season, she lowered her best times in the 100 back (53.36), 100 fly (54.37), 100 free (50.75 relay leadoff), and 50 back (25.06 relay leadoff) at the CIF-North Coast Section Championships. She then concluded the season at the California CIF State Championships, where she placed 3rd in the 100 back and 8th in the 100 fly and took home new PBs in the 50 back (24.88) and 100 back (53.31).

Long-course season was just as productive, with PBs in the 50 back (29.19), 100 back (1:02.53), 200 back (2:19.10), 50 fly (27.56), 100 fly (1:02.75), and 200 IM (2:35.55). She was runner-up in the 50 back and 3rd in the 100 back at Sacramento Futures, and placed 11th in both the 50 back and 50 fly at Summer Junior Nationals.

Busquets is part of what is turning out to be a massive haul of 2027 talent for Tennessee. The Lady Vols now have verbal commitments from #4 Alyssa Ton, #10 Adalynn Biegler, #15 Kaidy Stout, #17 Sloane Whelehan, and “Best of the Rest” Busqets for their class of 2031.

Best SCY times:

• 50 back – 24.88
• 100 back – 53.31
• 200 back – 1:59.23
• 100 free – 23.34
• 100 free – 50.75
• 100 fly – 54.37

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

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