Photo by Matt Sachs, TexAgs
Texas A&M Volleyball
Sullivan, Aggies knock off divisional opponent Arkansas 3-1
COLLEGE STATION - The Texas A&M volleyball team took the court Friday night against the Arkansas Razorbacks in hopes of avenging losses in their previous two matches against SEC divisional opponents, Alabama and Auburn.
Head Coach Laurie Corbelli and the Aggies wanted not only to snap out of a two game skid, but they also wanted a chance to prove themselves in the aspect of adversity.
After falling early in the first set 1-0 to the Razorbacks, the trailing Aggies had a chance to validate just that.
“I saw in their faces that they weren’t pleased with that,” said Corbelli. “We made a pact with them before this match that we were going to do everything in our power to keep positive, reinforcing enthusiastic coaching so that we could do everything possible to get the win. We told them to keep your heads up, there’s a point here or a point there.”
Heads held high, coaches flowing with encouragement, the Aggies immediately bounced back from the slow start winning three sets straight to finish off the Razorbacks 3-1.
I believe we would’ve been done a long time ago if she wasn’t playing like this. She was MVP tonight in every sense of the word. She’s so reliable and so valuable to us. I can count on her every match that she’s going to play well and she’s going to play hard.
Texas A&M 11-8 (3-5) secured a much needed victory against SEC divisional opponent Arkansas 13-8 (6-4) to show the conference that despite their youth, adversity is no longer a hurdle in which they cannot overcome.
Just ask sophomore middle blocker, Shelby Sullivan, who finished the night with 16 kills, setting a personal record.
“We started out kind of shaky, but we just knew that if we kept playing with confidence we would come out on top,” said Sullivan. “We have to take how we played as a team and focus on ourselves, our strengths out of this, carry the momentum and have even more confidence going into the game on Sunday.”
The inspired play by Sullivan didn’t just lift the Aggies in a victory, it impressed Coach Corbelli enough for her to take the time to vocally praise the sophomore.
“I believe we would’ve been done a long time ago if she wasn’t playing like this. She was MVP tonight in every sense of the word,” said Corbelli. “She’s so reliable and so valuable to us. I can count on her every match that she’s going to play well and she’s going to play hard.”
Sullivan wasn’t the only one feeling the confidence.
Sophomore outside hitter, Sierra Patrick, recorded 20 kills, while freshman, Victoria Arenas, notched 20 digs, adding to the mix making a great team showing.
As Sullivan said, Texas A&M looks to carry their momentum as the Aggies face the No. 11 Missouri Tigers, hoping to add another home victory this Sunday at 1pm.
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