Photo by Matt Sachs, TexAgs
Texas A&M Volleyball
Texas A&M wins SEC home opener in a sweep against Georgia
COLLEGE STATION, TX - Control is an aspect of life that all humans crave. People love having control over their lives whether it’s their job, their relationships, their financial income, or their five-year plan. Sports athletes live in the exact same mindset, only desiring control over completely different elements.
The Texas A&M volleyball team perfected this mindset against the Georgia Bulldogs, sweeping them in three sets, and never once having to use a single timeout.
When asked about such a strong team performance and individual showing, Sophomore Sierra Patrick answered, “Starting off strong is something that’s contagious, just like playing poorly is also contagious.”
Whether it was Patrick’s 13 kills, Allie Sawatzky’s near triple double, or Kaysie Shebeneck’s constant vocal energy for her team, it was obvious that there was something special moving about each of the members of the team.
Despite an attendance of only 1,280 on a Sunday afternoon, the Aggies stepped onto the court focused, not allowing any noise, other than maybe Shebeneck’s, affect their mood.
We came out wanting to make a statement.
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Jazzmin Babers, never letting a smile leave her face, helped her team maintain balance with nine blocks, while Senior libero Kelsey Kinley accounted for 14 digs, recording eight in the first set. Each player who touched the court representing Texas A&M contributed to the sweep over the Bulldogs, even if it was just one dig or a simple pass.
With only four lead changes the entire game, it was obvious to everyone, including the Bulldogs, that Texas A&M was never going to let this match slip out of their hands.
“We came out wanting to make a statement,” responded Patrick when prompted about the importance of this win being their first SEC match this season.
Well, a statement was made loud and clear.
If it was the energy that was contagious or just the great playmaking by the Aggies that fueled each other, it was obvious who held the control, and it was clear in the outcome.
Control provides reassurance when something of certainty suddenly becomes uncertain. But for Patrick and the Aggies, control was never a method used to convince themselves of the outcome of this game. It was simply a contagious focus set long before the first serve took place.
BOX SCORE: 1 2 3
Georgia 20 17 12
Texas A&M 25 25 25
Texas A&M 9-3 (1-0)
Georgia 11-3 (1-1)
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