A&M volleyball sweeps Auburn, earn ninth straight win over the Tigers
After a 3-1 loss to LSU on Sunday to snap a six-game win streak, Texas A&M Volleyball (18-6, 10-4) swept the Auburn Tigers (6-18, 0-13). The Aggies capitalized on the struggling Tigers, who have yet to pick up an SEC win. Auburn put up a fight with a scrappy style of play, but the Aggies took care of business and got back in the win column. Texas A&M used this opportunity to gain back some of the momentum that has been so valuable to the team this season as the Aggies head into the final stretch of the regular season.
Set One: Texas A&M 25-17
The Aggies started the match quietly, allowing the Tigers to stay in the game. Texas A&M took a 15-12 lead into the media timeout and began to pull away after play resumed. Set one consisted of long rallies on each side, but the Aggies took control for a 25-17 lead. Hollann Hans led the way with six kills in a slow offensive set as the Aggies hit at just a .121 clip. The A&M defense held Auburn to a .061 hitting percentage, giving the Aggies the advantage.
Set Two: Texas A&M 25-20
Set two started slow again for the Aggies with the score knotted at 12-12 to start the second half of the set. Makena Patterson gave the Aggies the edge offensively, totaling five kills in the set, followed by Lauren Davis with four. The Aggies improved to a .250 hitting percentage, but the Tigers’ .235 kept them within reach. Hans had two aces and seven digs in the Texas A&M 25-20 set win.
Set Three: Texas A&M 25-22
The Tigers refused to go quietly in the third and final set, but the Aggies had a response to take the 25-22 set win and match sweep. Hans tacked on another six kills, totaling fourteen on the night, and Morgan Davis contributed another four kills in the set. Camille Conner recorded two service aces, and Taylor Voss had one. Up by only one at the 20-point mark, it was a closer set (and overall match) than the Aggies would have hoped, but Texas A&M was able to close out to secure the victory.
Postgame Thoughts
“We’re thankful for a win for sure,” said outside hitter Hollann Hans. “As a team, we're not satisfied because we have a lot of things we need to work on. We’re excited to get back in the gym and get better because we know we have higher standards we set for ourselves. I definitely think we could have done a lot better, but it’s just another opportunity to grow and learn.”
“Everyone is excited to be back in the gym these next few days, take some time to come back and beat the hell out of the next team,” said middle blocker Mallory Talbert. “We’re here for each other.”
“Everything is an experience. We’ll never take a 3-0 win for granted,” said coach Laura “Bird” Kuhn. “We have to get back to that consistent, clean slate. We’ve been letting the momentum moments we talk about slide a little bit. We’ll have a break; the recovery will be nice for them. We’ll run with this.”
Up Next: The Aggies return to Reed Arena on Friday, November 22, hosting the Mississippi State Bulldogs. First serve is at 6:30 p.m.