Aggies defeat Crimson Tide 3-1 to remain undefeated in spring
The Aggies returned this weekend from almost a month without game-play to take care of business against Alabama for a four-set Friday. Coming off a postponement of the Kentucky matches, the Maroon and White were ready to rock en route to a 3-1 victory.
Texas A&M found their groove midway through the first set when they fought their way through the Crimson Tide’s runs. They came out on top 30-28 in the first set. In the second set, the Aggies played a tight margin until Camille Conner finished the set with an explosive ace for a 26-24 win. The Tide stole set three, 29-27. In the fourth and final set, the Aggies punished the Crimson Tide 25-17.
Ciera Hecht registered 8 service aces tonight which ties a program record.
Set One: Texas A&M 30-28
The Crimson Tide took control from the start of set one, with an ace to open up gameplay. The Tide remained on top for a majority of the set, but the Aggies were able to survive. Morgan Christon knotted the score with a kill at 5-5 and London Austin-Roark recorded a block to tie it again at 7-7. The Tide gained traction 10-7 and Texas A&M called a timeout, which failed to stop Alabama's momentum. The Tide came out of the timeout with four aces, pushing the score 16-8. The Maroon and White accepted the challenge and fought their way back in the game, narrowing the Tide lead to 19-18 behind kills from Morgan Christon and Claire Jeter. Alabama called a timeout and responded with five points. Texas A&M followed up with a timeout of their own as the Tide reached set-point, 24-21. Texas A&M was able to stop Alabama on set-point and fight back to a tie at 24. The teams traded points and ties until the Aggies pulled away with a kill by Claire Jeter, 30-28.
Set Two: Texas A&M 26-24
The second set saw a back and forth battle with a tight margin until the final kill. Morgan Christon got a block for the Aggies at 5-5. Lauren Davis slammed down a kill for the Aggies to get within one at 9-8. Texas A&M served an ace and Christon got a kill to put the Aggies on top, 10-9. The Aggies extended their lead with a double-block by London Austin-Roark and Camille Conner. Mallory Talbert got a kill, forcing Alabama to make adjustments and call timeout at 21-20. On Texas A&M’s set point, the Tide tied it 24-24 but then made a service error, followed by a monstrous ace by senior setter Camille Conner, which closed the set for the Aggies, 26-24.
Set Three: Alabama 29-27
Alabama stole set three. The Aggies held on tight as the momentum shifted between the teams with a tight set. Camille Conner hit an ace to make it 7-5 for the Aggies and Morgan Christon got a kill to extend the lead to 11-8. Ciera Hecht later served an ace to make it 19-17 for the Maroon and White. Alabama called a timeout immediately after. Mallory Talbert hit two consecutive kills for the Aggies at 23-19, but the Tide fueled a four-point run to tie it at 23-23. Mallory Talbert slammed down another kill, bringing the Aggies to set point, 24-23. The Tide fought back, tying it all the way through 27-27, and topped it off 29-27 in an intense set.
Set Four: Texas A&M 25-17
The Aggies powered a strong start over the Tide, opening it up at 9-5 with kills from Morgan Christon and Claire Jeter. London Austin-Roark recorded a kill at 11-6, and Ciera Hecht brought the score to 12-6 with an Aggie ace. Texas A&M continued to pour it on with a double-block and another kill by Christon at 14-6. Alabama closed the gap at 19-14 but called a timeout after Camille Conner’s kill made it 21-14. Lauren Davis registered two kills and the Aggies finished the race to 25 with an eight-point lead, 25-17.
Ciera Hecht explained how it felt to be back in action, playing in front of Reed Arena.
“It felt amazing being back in here, having the fans and our families here. We have missed some games and that’s been hard but we’ve been training really hard. It’s a great way to come back finally and be at home.”
Hecht also touched on what it took to come alive in the fourth set to get a dominating win.
“We finally started to settle in a little bit. We have been on a little bit of a break. There were some jitters at the beginning but we really started to get comfortable and get our confidence back, like our old team like Texas A&M Volleyball.”
Hecht responded to the news of shattering her record and matching a Texas A&M program one.
“I was not aware of that until I was just told in the locker room. It's an amazing feeling. I have to thank my team for keeping me in there to be able to serve. I hope I can keep it up.”
Up Next: The Aggies will be back in action tomorrow night, Saturday, March 6th at 6:00 p.m. to face Alabama again at Reed Arena.
