Texas A&M Volleyball Falls to Louisville at AVCA First Serve

News release from Texas A&M Athletics: 

The No. 8 Texas A&M volleyball team was unable to get by No. 7 Louisville, falling 3-1 (20-25, 23-25, 25-20, 21-25) in its season opener at the Jeep AVCA First Serve at the Fiserv Forum Friday evening.

Natalie Ring led three Aggies with double-digit kills, tallying 11 in her debut with the Maroon & White. Taryn Morris registered a career-high 10 kills, while Eliza Sharp added 10 kills and a team-best six blocks. Gabi Rodriguez also impressed in her first collegiate match finishing with 18 digs.

The Aggies defended their early lead despite Louisville tying things on six occasions before taking its first advantage at 16-15. Texas A&M continued to fight, but the Cardinals used a 14-6 run to close out the opening set, 25-20.

Play remained tight in the second set as Louisville led for much of the way, but the Maroon & White used a steady push to take the advantage back late. The two teams traded points in the closing moments and it was Louisville that was able to claim the final two points and take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Texas A&M didn’t back down, putting on a dominant performance in set three. The Aggies jumped out to an early five-point lead and never trailed in the set as they cruised to a 25-20 win to stay alive.

Back-and-forth play returned in the final set as neither team led by more than two points before the media timeout midway through. Three straight points gave the Cardinals a 20-17 advantage and forced a Texas A&M timeout. The Aggies kept it close, but Louisville scored five of the last eight points in the set to seal the match, 25-21.

STAT LEADERS

Kills – Natalie Ring – 11

Hitting Percentage (Min. 10 kills) – Eliza Sharp – .333

Assists – Lily Nicholson – 23

Aces – Gabi Rodriguez – 2

Digs – Gabi Rodriguez – 18

Blocks – Eliza Sharp – 6

GAME NOTES

Taryn Morris set career highs in kills (10) and points (13.5).
Gabi Rodriguez recorded the most digs (18) by an A&M freshman since Ava Underwood in 2022.
Next Up

The Aggies return to action at Fiserv Forum Sunday, Aug. 23, when they take on No. 11 SMU at 12 p.m.

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