Coach repeated many of the things he talked about in his recent interviews on TexAgs. But I think I can pass on a few quotes from the article without violating copyright rules:


A&M volleyball is a program on the rise as Morrison enters his second year at the helm. The Aggies made the NCAA tournament in his first season and have a core group of returning veterans that Morrison hopes can set the program up for a strong following act.

A&M returns nine players from 2023, alongside adding five transfers and one incoming freshman.

Preseason All-SEC selections Logan Lednicky and Ifenna Cos-Okpalla lead the way. Lednicky, a junior opposite hitter, led the Aggies in total kills (324) and kills per set (3.62) in 2023. Cos-Okpalla, a junior middle blocker, led the team in blocks (151) and blocks per set (1.62) last season.

Morrison said he feels his team is deep and wants to find different ways for different players to come in and contribute during the early part of the season.

"I think it's going to be different every single night, every single week and it might be matchup-based, it might be what we're feeling in that moment, but there's a lot of different people that can add value to what we're doing at different times throughout a match," Morrison said. "I'm excited to figure that out."

The Aggies open SEC play against rival Texas at Reed Arena on Sept. 27. A&M will make a return trip to Austin on Oct. 23. Morrison said he has the game circled because it can draw eyes to the sport. He said the Aggies have plenty of respect for the Longhorns, who are the preseason No. 1 team, but added he wants to take them on.

"I came here to build a program that is in contention with them every single year and pushing for a national championship just like they are," Morrison said. "My biggest thing is it's huge for the sport. I think it's Lakers-Celtics if we do it right, and it'll blow our sport up into something bigger than it is right now."

"I'm excited for what's coming," Morrison said. "I'm excited for the volleyball that we get to see at Reed. I'm excited for the culture we're building around this volleyball program and how that continues to evolve and get stronger and I'm excited about the people Aggieland gets to meet in terms of new additions for our team."

AGGIE VOLLEYBALL SEASON OPENER

Opponent: South Alabama (0-0)
Location: @ South Alabama
Time: 5:30pm

South Alabama is a tournament team who made it to the big dance last year for only the second time in school history! However, they only return 2 starters from that team and have to replace their libero and setter! They have a lot of inexperience!

Things I'm most excited or curious about!

- Who plays libero

- Do we play with one setter or two (Margot Manning and/or Maddie Waak)

- Is our back line improved, especially on serve receive

- Can Emily Hellmuth and Taylor Humphrey provide some solid arms on the outside for us to replace Caroline Meuth and Bianna Muoneke

- Has Ital Lopuyo improved