News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
The No. 14 Aggie volleyball team secured their second-straight sweep of the Texas A&M Invitational after dominating New Hampshire Friday evening at Reed Arena, 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-18).
The Maroon & White’s (7-2) offense doomed UNH (6-6) in the Aggies second match of the invitational, as the team hit over .300 percent for the second-straight match (.342). Texas A&M had four players record eight or more kills in only three sets of work, as Emily Hellmuth led the pack with 13, followed by Ifenna Cos-Okpalla’s 12, Kyndal Stowers’ nine and Logan Lednicky’s eight.
The start of the match began with back-and-forth volleyball, as the teams were knotted early (6-6). The Aggies were the ones to break deadlock, ripping off an 11-7 run as New Hampshire called its first timeout of the contest (17-13). The Maroon & White continued their rhythm behind Stowers’ six first-set kills to take the opener, 25-17.
The Aggies came out firing in the second set, racing to a 5-0 advantage. The Wildcats cut into the deficit (8-5), but the Maroon & White marched on behind a 7-1 run to lead by nine at the midway point (15-6). Texas A&M didn’t let UNH get close, finishing the frame on a 10-8 streak (25-14) to double its advantage in the match, 2-0.
The Aggies and Wildcats battled throughout the opening part of the third, however it was the Aggies yet again who created separation as they led by seven at the media timeout (15-8). Texas A&M’s offense continued to be the difference, as Hellmuth and Cos-Okpalla each struck their 12th kill of the match forcing the Wildcats to huddle up (23-17). The dynamic duo wasn’t done there, as they recorded a kill and an ace, respectively, to take the frame (25-18) and match, 3-0.
STAT LEADERS
Kills – Emily Hellmuth – 13
Hitting Percentage (Min. 10 kills) – Ifenna Cos-Okpalla – .688
Assists – Maddie Waak – 37
Aces – Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Addi Applegate, Logan Lednicky – 1
Digs – Logan Lednicky – 15
Blocks – Ifenna Cos-Okpalla – 4