News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M volleyball team secured its first reverse sweep since 2015, as it outlasted Missouri Sunday afternoon in Reed Arena, 3-2 (17-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-12).
The Aggies (10-2, 1-1 SEC) remained persistent under pressure versus Missouri (9-4, 1-1 SEC), as they battled back from a two-set deficit to secure their first reverse sweep in nine years. Down 22-16 in the third set, A&M found its turning point, with a 9-1 run to win their first of three-consecutive frames and kickstart its remarkable comeback.
A&M opened the match on fire, scoring the first-five points of the match behind a trio of kills between Ifenna Cos-Okpalla (two) and Logan Lednicky (one), followed by back-to-back aces from Ellee Stinson. Missouri responded immediately with a strong run at the service line to take the first set, 25-17.
The Tigers held their rhythm into the second, pushing out to a five-point advantage which prompted a timeout from head coach Jamie Morrison (7-2). A&M cut into the deficit to trail by one at the midway point of the frame, 15-14. The Maroon & White kept it close, but Missouri claimed the set (25-20) and doubled its advantage, 2-0.
Both programs traded blows in the third, with the Tigers leading by one (10-9). Missouri forged a six-point advantage late in the frame (22-16); however, the Aggies fought all the way back thanks to heroics at the service line from Tatum Thomas and Morgan Perkins to go on an 9-1 run to snatch a set back, 2-1.
Back-and-forth volleyball ensued in the fourth, with the programs coming to ties at 15. The Aggies struck quickly with a pair of points, forcing a Missouri timeout, 17-15. A&M never gave up the lead, closing out the set (25-22) and tying the match, 2-2.
The Aggies carried their rhythm into the deciding frame, featuring an ace from Perkins, a block by Maddie Waak and a kill from Lednicky (3-0). The Maroon & White maintained their momentum, trading points with the Tigers; however, Missouri answered with a three-point run, prompting a timeout from A&M (8-7). Following the break, Perkins added another kill, keeping the lead on the Aggies side. After a tense exchange of points, A&M secured the reverse sweep and its first conference win of the year courtesy of an Ava Underwood ace (15-12), 3-2.
COACH’S QUOTES
Head coach Jamie Morrison on the team’s reverse-sweep victory …
“We just find ways to win. I looked back at one point and pretty much every single player on our team touched the floor tonight and helped us win in some way, shape or form. Our team is deep, and we proved that tonight. I’m proud of the resolve that we had and I’m proud of the way that regardless of the score, we came back, and we kept pushing.”
Morrison on the energy of the team and the 12th Man …
“I think everyone was fired up. Some different players were coming into the match and contributing and everyone gets fired up when that happens. Then we get one point, everyone starts to think ‘Oh, this is happening’, and then we get another point and all of a sudden it starts to build up this wave of momentum where everybody’s fired up… then it starts to bleed into everyone in the entire gym and the 12th Man got even louder at that point.”
PLAYER’S QUOTES
Junior OH Emily Hellmuth on the team’s mindset after going down 2-0 …
“In our huddle after the first two sets, we had one option, next three sets are ours. We had total belief in each other and zero doubt that were going to get the next three.”
Junior MB Morgan Perkins on how she was successful today …
“They weren’t fronting me today, so I saw that I had line and cross. Maddie did an incredible job of getting me the ball when there was no one up in front of me.”
STAT LEADERS
Kills – Emily Hellmuth – 19
Hitting Percentage (Min. 10 kills) – Morgan Perkins – .500
Assists – Maddie Waak – 38
Aces – Ava Underwood, Ellee Stinson – 2
Digs – Ellee Stinson – 16
Blocks – Morgan Perkins – 7
UP NEXT
The Maroon & White head to Auburn for their first conference road fixture Sunday, Oct. 6 with first serve set for 2 p.m.
FOLLOW THE AGGIES
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter by following @AggieVolleyball.