Texas A&M volleyball drops five-set thriller to No. 24 Auburn
Texas A&M volleyball fell off track against No. 24 Auburn Tigers at Reed Arena on Sunday, dropping the five-set thriller, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 22-25, 12-15.
“I’m disappointed but proud,” head coach Jamie Morrison said. “The disappointing piece is that we kicked into a different gear where we had to win every single point, and it wasn’t about playing perfect volleyball.”
Texas A&M’s offense had a great showing, although getting off to a slower start. Logan Lednicky tallied 16 kills, and Bianna Muoneke and Caroline Meuth followed closely behind with 12 kills a piece.
In the first set, the Aggies were able to capitalize on Lednicky’s dominance. Although the Tigers were not committing any hitting errors through the majority of the first set, the Aggies were able to pull ahead with their aggressiveness on offense.
The kryptonite of A&M’s defense continued to be the short ball, but adjustments were seemingly made, and the Aggies were able to power through to take the first set, 25-21.
The second set saw a slower effort on both sides of the ball from A&M. Although the Tigers were playing much faster, the home team was somehow able to stay in the game and create a competitive set.
Lednicky continued to produce, but small mistakes like missed serves and a lack of offensive connection made the set an easy win for the Tigers, 25-19.
The third set saw the first block of the match courtesy of Ifenna Cos-Okpalla and Ital Lopuyo. It also showcased a high-energy and determined home team.
Early in the set, starting setter Nisa Buzlutepe left the game with an injury. Margot Manning and Alayna Pearson entered the game and brought an energy that had not yet been seen from the Aggies.
Pearson, a freshman defensive specialist, went on a six-point service run toward the end of the set that had the team and crowd on their feet. She ultimately gave the Aggies the momentum push they needed to take the third set from the Tigers, 25-23.
“It’s cool that Alayna was able to step onto the court and make a huge difference,” Morrison said. “I thought it was immense in that third set. It’s a testament to her and to our team.”
The fourth set, however, did not carry the same momentum. The Tigers took immediate control and did not let the home team take control from the beginning until the end.
Despite a late run from Muoneke behind the service line, the Aggies were unable to produce effectively. Small mistakes that riddled the second set made their way back into the Aggies’ playing style.
The Tigers maintained control for the entirety of the set and topped the Aggies, 25-22.
The fifth set was a back-and-forth affair. Ultimately, the small mistakes that were seen from sets two and four reappeared and did not allow the Aggies to maintain any control throughout the 15-point set.
Due to her inexperience playing front row, Manning was called in the net several times throughout the match, most of which came at times when momentum was needed for the home team.
The Tigers took the final set and the match, 15-10.
Up next, the Aggies will travel to Columbia to take on the Missouri Tigers on Friday, November 10th. The start time for the match is at 6 p.m. CT.