News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Texas A&M volleyball team swept South Carolina to secure its first 10-win conference slate in five years Saturday afternoon in the Carolina Volleyball Center, 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-21).
The Aggies (19-7, 10-6 SEC) claimed their fourth-straight victory with a dominant showing versus the Gamecocks (16-11, 7-9 SEC), to secure their first 10-win conference season since 2019. A&M had a balanced showing throughout the match, besting South Carolina with offense and defense as it logged 40 kills and 11 blocks in the three-set fixture.
The Gamecocks forged a two-point lead early in the first set (9-7), however the Aggies countered with three-straight blocks and a kill forcing South Carolina to burn its first timeout, 11-9. A&M pushed on and extended its advantage to four as the Gamecocks huddled up for the second time in the frame, 21-17. The teams traded points late, but a solo block from Morgan Perkins clinched the opener, 25-21.
South Carolina once again started the set on the front foot, as head coach Jamie Morrison called his first timeout of the frame, 7-4. The Maroon & White battled back with an 11-8 run to knot the teams at 15. The Aggies extended their positive streak with another 6-2 strike, as the Gamecocks burned both their timeouts (21-17). A flurry of A&M offense continued its rhythm and a kill from Logan Lednicky doubled the lead in the match (25-22), 2-0.
Carrying all the momentum into the third, the Maroon & White raced out to a five-point advantage (10-5). South Carolina went on a run of its own, as it knotted the teams at 18 late. A&M’s ability to play efficient volleyball became the difference maker, as it scored its final seven points through a block, three Gamecock errors and three kills capped off by Taylor Humphrey to secure the set (25-21) and match, 3-0.
COACH’S QUOTES
Head coach Jamie Morrison on today’s match …
“This win feels great. I think we’re saving our volleyball for the end of the year and that’s a really good sign heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Morrison on the difference in play late in the year…
“Quality of volleyball. We look at every touch and can we upgrade the touch and influence the next one as much as possible. I think defensively we’ve been on the money and then making smart decisions from there.”
STAT LEADERS
Kills – Logan Lednicky – 13
Hitting Percentage (Min. 10 kills) – Logan Lednicky – .267
Assists – Maddie Waak – 31
Aces – Maddie Waak – 1
Digs – Ava Underwood – 10
Blocks – Ifenna Cos-Okpalla – 8
UP NEXT
The Maroon & White await their postseason designation, announced Sunday during the NCAA Tournament selection show at 5 p.m. on ESPN.