Opponent: #6 Tennessee (16-3, 7-2) - Wear a Costume

Aggie Record: (13-8, 6-3)
Aggie Rank: 17
Date: October 30 (Halloween Eve)
Time: 6:30
Location: Reed Arena - College Station, Texas
Streaming: SEC Network
Tickets: https://12thmanfoundation.evenue.net/list/VB

Live Stats: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/mobile/?id=671256


Match Preview
Folks, we're back. There's still lots ahead and lots of work to do. After bouncing back from a slump and beating Auburn, the Ags were to embark on a stretch against teams in the top half of the SEC. First was Georgia, we won, then Kentucky, we won (and swept). Now we face Tennessee who is on a huge run themselves with only 3 losses on the season while currently ranked 6th. Friday night will be a huge matchup and we will need Reed Arena to be packed and loud!

On Sunday the Ags went into Lexington, Kentucky for a national championship rematch against #4 Kentucky. Except that the national championship rematch would feature almost an entire new Aggie team while Kentucky returned a heavy portion of their roster. However, the result remained the same The Aggies reminded everyone why we are the program with a banner hanging in the rafters. It was Margot Manning orchestrating the offense that showed out with power and balance. The block came alive and passing was phenomenal.

Natalie Ring is looking like her old self, Stowers is still Stowers, our middles are healthy and looking great as ever, Morris is playing her best on the right side, Gabi Rodriguez and Addi Applegate are holding down the back row, while Manning looks sharp and is dealing at setter. This season has seen many changes in the lineup, but I think we found what works. There's only 6 conference games left and it's time to keep this momentum rolling. Our tough stretch of opponents continue with a road match against tu on Sunday then a match with Vandy. Let's take care of business at home Friday and secure another top ten win!

Tennessee is on a 7 match win streak with the first 5 being easy competition before they went and reverse swept Kentucky and then took down Vanderbilt, both at home. They started SEC play losing to tu and Florida. Tennessee is lead by Caroline Kerr one of the best setters in the country. She is assisted by a team that is excellent in serve receive and at digging up hits. Tennessee is a great passing team. Offensively, they rely heavily on SMU transfer Kennedi Rogers who has a huge arm and Jalyn Stout an explosive and versatile hitter. They have solid middle blockers as well. They are a well rounded team who plays well and makes points hard to earn. We'll need to be at our best, passing well, and finishing our chances.

Gameday falls on Halloween Eve. Wear a costume and get to Reed for a huge matchup! This team needs you and you make a difference. We can shakeup the sec standings and fight for a top 4 seed in the conference. Let's continue this run, keep improving, and keep showing everyone who and what Texas A&M Volleyball is all about. This weekend we beat two teams wearing that ugly color orange.

Texas A&M 3-1

Texas A&M 3-2

Ags in 4 sets!!! The offense is efficient with Margot and has me excited. Eliza is coming on after her injury and Castle is improving too. Gabi is just awesome. Kyndal is Kyndal. So the Ags take this one from Tennessee.

taylorswift13_ said:

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Wear a Costume

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One Jamie costume coming right up 👍 pic.twitter.com/JV6ufrswbX

— Texas A&M Volleyball (@AggieVolleyball) October 28, 2026

Team having some fun during practice for the Tennessee Match.

This is the match honestly for potential hosting

Lose and I dont see a way to host after the back to back losses against Oklahoma and Arkansas

Win against Tenn and Vandy and good showing at SEC tourney gives us great shot

Add a Texas win and should host with SEC Tourney semi or better

We need to win 5 of last 6 to ensure a host seed. 2 of 3 against Tenn, at tu, at Vandy and finish out strong against at Mizz, LSU and Ole Miss.

Missouri is kind of a wild card for 3-4 teams rest of the way - many of the top SEC teams have yet to play them. They could be the difference maker for conference tournament seeding if they take a match or two.

On the other hand - Florida and Kentucky have their toughest opponents behind them. I expect them to finish out as 1-2 seeds.

taylorswift13_ said:

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Does Taryn Morris not believe in Halloween

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It's possible, I used to be a member of a church that had its congregation split over a Halloween party for kids. Several families left.

But I won't complain, I think she's the best part of that picture.

McInnis said:

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taylorswift13_ said:

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Does Taryn Morris not believe in Halloween

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It's possible, I used to be a member of a church that had its congregation split over a Halloween party for kids. Several families left.

But I won't complain, I think she's the best part of that picture.

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What are you even talking about. She is clearly dressed as a national champion volleyball player.

OK, everyone who zoomed in on Taryn and didn't see the wings raise your hand.

On paper this is a very balanced matchup - team that is able to run their offense in system the most likely wins. A rowdy Reed arena is needed!

Aggie defense is #2 in conference at opponent hitting % (2nd best only to Florida) and also #2 in blocks / set. Tenn is 3rd and 6th though in these metrics.

Both teams have almost identical kills / set, but we have averaged 4 more errors / match (about 1.3/set) more than the Vols so our hitting % lags behind. Cleaning that up even a little bit while still being aggressive and putting pressure on will make a huge difference.

Speaking of pressure - Aggies are also #3 in aces / set, averaging 1 more per match than Tenn. We will have service errors but shouldn't change approach.

The next three matches likely determine our post-season seeding. Take 2 of 3 against Tenn, tu and Vandy and we will be hosting at Reed barring a major upset down the stretch. Otherwise we have to rely on other teams to lose. Let's take of business tonight!