News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
The No. 19 Texas A&M volleyball team got back in the win column after downing Auburn Sunday afternoon at Reed Arena, 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 27-29, 25-22).
The Aggies (11-8, 4-3 SEC) snapped a three-game losing streak with a strong showing versus the Tigers (11-8, 1-5 SEC). Four members of the Maroon & White recorded double-digit kills, paced by Kyndal Stowers’ 21, she was followed by Natalie Ring, Kaia Castle and Taryn Morris with 17, 12 and 11, respectively. Gabi Rodriguez added another millstone to her standout freshman campaign, as she logged her first career double-double with 16 digs and 10 assists.
The contest opened with the programs trading points and finding level on four occasions, tying it at seven. The Tigers forged a four-point gap, 14-10, but a counter in the form of a 9-3 run had Auburn huddling up, 19-17. The Aggies never gave up the lead and a block from Castle and Morris sealed the opener, 25-20.
Auburn came out firing in the second creating an early 10-5 advantage which prompted a timeout from Head Coach Jamie Morrison. The Aggies answered the call with an 11-6 streak to knot the frame at 16. The Maroon & White held their rhythm and closed the set out with Stowers’ fifth kill of the frame, 25-20.
The visitors claimed set three in extras, 29-27, but A&M flipped the momentum back to its side in the fourth after starting with a 5-1 charge. That gap expended to five as the game hit the midway point, 15-10. Auburn battled and shrunk the gap to two late, 23-21, but kills from Ring and Morris dealt the final blows to take the set, 25-22, and match, 3-1.
Next Up
The Aggies head out on a two-game road trip, opening at Georgia, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. and closing out the weekend in Lexington facing No. 4 Kentucky, Oct. 25, at 12 p.m.