Aggie Record: (3-2)
Opponent: #14 Purdue (0-1)
Date: September 1
Time: 7:00
Location: Mackey Arena - West Lafayette, Indiana
Streaming: FS1
Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/mobile/?id=670776&vislive=tam
Game Preview
Howdy my fellow Aggie Volleyball National Championship fans and welcome back to another game preview and this time we head back to the Midwest, but this time for the Big 10 - SEC Challenge. The Aggies will face two ranked opponents kicking things off with 14th ranked Purdue Tuesday night and 21st ranked Indiana the night after.
The defending national champions are coming off a 3 match winning streak after going 3-0 at the home Texas A&M Invitational with wins over Grand Canyon (3-1), Arkansas State (3-0), and Cal Poly (3-0). The Aggie shook off a disappointing first serve weekend where they racked up two losses, but they looked like a brand new team this past weekend. The team has had time and reps to gel without our star all American Kyndal Stowers. Her status is still doubtful for these two matches. she did warm up and go through hitting lines Saturday night, but did not suit up. The Aggies saw the elevated play of Natalie Ring, Eliza Sharp, Taryn Morris and saw what Kirra Musgrove can do in a 5-1 offense. The Aggies will need to keep improving and firing on all cylinders to pick up some ranked wins this week.
Purdue has had an unfortunate start to their 2026 season. Their all American and star player Kenna Wollard announced she won't play this season due to an illness and it is believed to be extremely serious so prayers for her and her family and friends as they go through this difficult and painful time. I hope she's able to rejoin her team on the sidelines this season.
Purdue will be facing a difficult and emotional challenge, playing without their leader. They do have a strong veteran core, but they took a hit with their next best player going down in their first and only match last Friday. Grace Heaney, their talented all American opposite hitter went down with an injury in the second set and didn't return to the match. If Heaney is unable to go, then it will be another huge blow to Purdue. They have an experienced senior setter in Taylor Anderson, two senior middle blockers, however they have young pin hitters who have to step into much larger roles due to injuries.
Amidst all the uncertainty and chaos, they played thirteenth ranked Creighton and lost in 5 sets. Their young hitters Lameen Mambu and Addy Tindall both played well in their first collegiate action, especially Tindall who had 22 kills hitting .463. They have an excellent middle blocker in Dior Charles and excellent setter in Taylor Anderson. As a team they had 16 blocks, with Charles having 8 of them. They did seem to have poor serve receive and passing.
It will be another game time decision to see if Kyndal Stowers plays, however this team showed a lot of growth and improvement this past weekend. Natalie Ring was much more efficient, as was Megan Fitch on the outside. Taryn Morris is proving to be a reliable and efficient option on the right side. Our middles are starting to show their power on both sides. Eliza Sharp is looking like a first team all american right now. Gabi Rodriguez and Addi Applegate are so solid in the back row. At setter we saw Jamie hand the team over to Kirra Musgrove in the second and third set against Cal Poly and she impressed. At 6'2 the lefty is an excellent blocker, server, and can call her own number when needed. Her sets looked great as the match went on. Perhaps it's time to stick with Musgrove and the 5-1, but I can still see Jamie rolling with the 5-2 depending on the matchup and game flow.
It will be very interesting to see how Purdue comes out playing. We'll have to see if Heaney will be available. They will be playing with a lot of emotion for Wollard and to prove they are still elite. I believe their coach Dave Shondell is one of the best in the country. The Aggies, especially this young team without Stowers need to show themselves they can beat a ranked team, which they absolutely can. We will be playing in their big basketball arena so they will have the crowd behind them. They will be hungry for a win, but I believe so will we. We still have lots to show and lots to prove. This past weekend was great for us and it's time to keep it rolling. Like I mentioned last week, there's a reason that banners hanging in the rafters. There's a championship standard for Texas A&M Volleyball and it's time we go show the Big 10 what Aggie Volleyball is all about!!! BTHO purdue!!!
Opponent: #14 Purdue (0-1)
Date: September 1
Time: 7:00
Location: Mackey Arena - West Lafayette, Indiana
Streaming: FS1
Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/mobile/?id=670776&vislive=tam
Game Preview
Howdy my fellow Aggie Volleyball National Championship fans and welcome back to another game preview and this time we head back to the Midwest, but this time for the Big 10 - SEC Challenge. The Aggies will face two ranked opponents kicking things off with 14th ranked Purdue Tuesday night and 21st ranked Indiana the night after.
The defending national champions are coming off a 3 match winning streak after going 3-0 at the home Texas A&M Invitational with wins over Grand Canyon (3-1), Arkansas State (3-0), and Cal Poly (3-0). The Aggie shook off a disappointing first serve weekend where they racked up two losses, but they looked like a brand new team this past weekend. The team has had time and reps to gel without our star all American Kyndal Stowers. Her status is still doubtful for these two matches. she did warm up and go through hitting lines Saturday night, but did not suit up. The Aggies saw the elevated play of Natalie Ring, Eliza Sharp, Taryn Morris and saw what Kirra Musgrove can do in a 5-1 offense. The Aggies will need to keep improving and firing on all cylinders to pick up some ranked wins this week.
Purdue has had an unfortunate start to their 2026 season. Their all American and star player Kenna Wollard announced she won't play this season due to an illness and it is believed to be extremely serious so prayers for her and her family and friends as they go through this difficult and painful time. I hope she's able to rejoin her team on the sidelines this season.
Purdue will be facing a difficult and emotional challenge, playing without their leader. They do have a strong veteran core, but they took a hit with their next best player going down in their first and only match last Friday. Grace Heaney, their talented all American opposite hitter went down with an injury in the second set and didn't return to the match. If Heaney is unable to go, then it will be another huge blow to Purdue. They have an experienced senior setter in Taylor Anderson, two senior middle blockers, however they have young pin hitters who have to step into much larger roles due to injuries.
Amidst all the uncertainty and chaos, they played thirteenth ranked Creighton and lost in 5 sets. Their young hitters Lameen Mambu and Addy Tindall both played well in their first collegiate action, especially Tindall who had 22 kills hitting .463. They have an excellent middle blocker in Dior Charles and excellent setter in Taylor Anderson. As a team they had 16 blocks, with Charles having 8 of them. They did seem to have poor serve receive and passing.
It will be another game time decision to see if Kyndal Stowers plays, however this team showed a lot of growth and improvement this past weekend. Natalie Ring was much more efficient, as was Megan Fitch on the outside. Taryn Morris is proving to be a reliable and efficient option on the right side. Our middles are starting to show their power on both sides. Eliza Sharp is looking like a first team all american right now. Gabi Rodriguez and Addi Applegate are so solid in the back row. At setter we saw Jamie hand the team over to Kirra Musgrove in the second and third set against Cal Poly and she impressed. At 6'2 the lefty is an excellent blocker, server, and can call her own number when needed. Her sets looked great as the match went on. Perhaps it's time to stick with Musgrove and the 5-1, but I can still see Jamie rolling with the 5-2 depending on the matchup and game flow.
It will be very interesting to see how Purdue comes out playing. We'll have to see if Heaney will be available. They will be playing with a lot of emotion for Wollard and to prove they are still elite. I believe their coach Dave Shondell is one of the best in the country. The Aggies, especially this young team without Stowers need to show themselves they can beat a ranked team, which they absolutely can. We will be playing in their big basketball arena so they will have the crowd behind them. They will be hungry for a win, but I believe so will we. We still have lots to show and lots to prove. This past weekend was great for us and it's time to keep it rolling. Like I mentioned last week, there's a reason that banners hanging in the rafters. There's a championship standard for Texas A&M Volleyball and it's time we go show the Big 10 what Aggie Volleyball is all about!!! BTHO purdue!!!
