Ags drop final contest in the Texas A&M Invitational, fall to No. 6 Pitt, 3-0
Texas A&M volleyball finished out its last day of the Texas A&M Invitational taking on No.6
Pittsburgh Sunday in Reed Arena.
The Aggies’ third and final match of the weekend ended in a 3-0 loss to the Panthers.
Caroline Meuth, all-tournament team selection, registered nine total kills in the loss. Logan
Lednicky had an impressive showing and ended the day with eight kills and 11 digs total. Setter
Elena Karakasi totaled four kills, 25 assists, seven digs and one block.
Following the match, Texas A&M head coach Bird Kuhn said the tournament was challenging but for a
reason.
“We need to test ourselves, not only to see where we’re at but the response,” Kuhn said. “We want this team to compete and prepare for SEC play.”
In the first set, the Aggies could not establish a block or get the offense moving. After a timeout from
Kuhn, the Aggies changed their pace and were able to score off of kills from Meuth and middle blocker Madison Bowser. The Aggies dropped the first set 25-19.
“Volleyball is a game of momentum,” Kuhn said. “That’s what we talked a lot about today. How
can you control that and sway so that we don’t have as many point swings that are three and
four points.”
The Panthers went on two four-point scoring runs throughout the match, which were detrimental
for the Aggies and ultimately put the match out of reach.
After dropping the second set 25-17, Karakasi looked to get her offense going.
“As a setter, the ideal situation is to have all hitters be ready at all times,” Karakasi said. “That’s
what I was telling them, just be ready and be on time. Just do your job. I’ll do mine.”
The Aggies fought back in the third set, keeping it close throughout the entire set but
were not able to close it out as Pitt finished the match off with a score of 25-21.
can you control that and sway so that we don’t have as many point swings that are three and
four points.”
“We were excited about opening at home. Obviously, we were on the road last year, but especially with this group, introducing them to the 12th Man was very cool,” Kuhn said. “These
opponents well deserved entertainment for them but also what we needed. We need to be
competing at the highest level as much as we can and why not open in front of the twelfth man
for them.”
The Aggies will be traveling to Fort Worth for the TCU tournament on Sept. 2 and will return to Reed Arena to take on the Sam Houston Bearkats on Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. CT.
