News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
OXFORD – The Texas A&M volleyball team claimed its third-straight conference win as it downed Ole Miss Wednesday evening at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center, 3-1 (25-17, 17-25, 25-18, 25-18).
The Aggies (12-2, 3-1 SEC) continued their conference success, as they secured their third league win of the year after claiming a four-set battle with Ole Miss (12-4, 2-2 SEC). Offensively, A&M logged 48 kills spearheaded by Logan Lednicky’s second-straight 20-kill outing. On the defensive side, the Maroon & White blocked 12 swings behind Ifenna Cos-Okpalla’s six total on the night, while Ava Underwood had a season-high 21 digs.
A&M struck thick and fast to open the match with Maddie Waak at the service line, scoring the first five points of the fixture (5-0). The Maroon & White extended its advantage further, as Ole Miss called the first timeout of the set, 8-2. The Aggies blew the frame open at the midway point, leading by nine as the Rebels called their final break, 22-13. A kill from Morgan Perkins, an ace from Margot Manning and an attack error from Ole Miss concluded the set for A&M (25-17).
The Rebels countered in the second with a 10-5 run, prompting a timeout from head coach Jamie Morrison. Ole Miss held its rhythm throughout the remainder of the frame and leveled the match (25-17), 1-1.
A&M responded in the third, racing out to four-point advantage as Ole Miss called timeout (12-8). The teams battled back-and-forth, but a Maroon & White barrage ensued as they led by six late, 22-16. The Aggies kept their foot on the gas and closed the set with a pair of kills and a final block from Cos-Okpalla and Lednicky (25-18), 2-1.
Carrying its rhythm into the fourth set, A&M struck right away with four-consecutive points forcing a timeout from the Rebels. The Aggie onslaught continued behind another 7-4 run, prompting Ole Miss to burn its second break, 11-4. The Maroon & White didn’t let the Rebels get close, as they held their advantage throughout the remainder of the set to take the match (25-18), 3-1.
COACH’S QUOTES
Head coach Jamie Morrison on today’s match …
“This one feels great. I’m going to keep saying this, the SEC is a grind this year and every team is good. I thought Ole Miss imposed themselves in the second set and I thought our response in the third and fourth was exactly what we needed and that was to play Texas A&M volleyball, which is hard to beat.”
STAT LEADERS
Kills – Logan Lednicky – 20
Hitting Percentage (Min. 10 kills) – Logan Lednicky – .310
Assists – Maddie Waak – 39
Aces – Logan Lednicky, Margot Manning – 1
Digs – Ava Underwood – 21
Blocks – Ifenna Cos-Okpalla – 6
UP NEXT
The Maroon & White conclude their three-match road trip in Baton Rouge, as they take on LSU Sunday with first serve set for 1 p.m.