Texas A&M volleyball improves to 2-0 with four-set win over McNeese

Press conference video courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics.

DECK

Scoring Summary

Set 1: McNeese 25, Texas A&M 21 (0-1)
Set 2: Texas A&M 25, McNeese 17 (1-1)
Set 3: Texas A&M 25, McNeese 18 (2-1)
Set 4: Texas A&M 25, McNeese 17 (3-1)

Statistical Leaders

Kills: Logan Lednicky (A&M) - 18
Hitting Percentage: Ifenna Cos-Opkalla (A&M) - .643
Digs: Ellee Stinson (A&M) - 13
Assists: Maddie Waak (A&M) - 48
Blocks: McKenzie Moore (McNeese) - 18
Service Aces: Tatum Thomas (A&M) - 2

Release from Texas A&M Athletics:

MOBILE, Ala. – The Texas A&M volleyball team won its second-straight match to open the 2024 season, besting McNeese Saturday in Jaguar Gym, 3-1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-17).

Picking up where they left off in the opener, the Aggies (2-0) won their second-consecutive match to start the year after downing McNeese (0-1), 3-1, with another dominant offensive showing. Versatility was the key in the match, as the Maroon & White had three players reach double-digit kills, with the group hitting over .300 percent (.325) for the second-consecutive game. Logan Lednicky led the group once again with a match-high 19, followed by Taylor Humphrey with 12 and Ifenna Cos-Okpalla with 11.

The teams exchanged runs to open the match, eventually knotting the game at 18. McNeese found its rhythm, and despite a late A&M push, the Cowgirls stole the opener, 25-21.

Flipping the momentum at the beginning of the second set was A&M, as it raced out to an early 10-6 advantage. The Aggies extended their lead, prompting McNeese to burn its first timeout of the frame (14-7). The Cowgirls battled back, however Cos-Okpalla took over late with a pair of kills and a block to seal the second (25-17) and tie the match, 1-1.

Back-and-forth play ensued at the start of the third frame, with the team’s trading points to 13. The Aggies then went on a run behind an offensive clinic from Lednicky, as she logged three kills on a 6-0 streak. A pair of Cowgirl timeouts didn’t slow A&M’s progress, as it closed out the set (25-18) to lead in the match, 2-1.

With eyes set on closing out the match, the Aggies stuck early and often, creating a five-point advantage (8-3). McNeese fought back, however the Maroon & White never gave up the lead and held a three-point buffer at the midway point in the frame, 14-11. A&M proceeded to go on a 5-2 streak, forcing the Cowgirls’ first timeout, 19-13. McNeese continued to have no answer for A&M’s offence, as the Aggies won their third-straight set (25-17) and the match, 3-1.

COACH’S QUOTES
Head coach Jamie Morrison on today’s match …

“I was excited about the level we got to, and today we did it quicker. I think team’s figure out their identity and the best ones do it fast.”

Morrison on what he will take from the Jaguar Invitational …

“Number one I think we can win in different ways and with different people. I think we’ll see that throughout the season, with different people coming in at different times, using different substitution strategies, and getting lots of people involved.”

STAT LEADERS
Kills – Logan Lednicky – 19
Hitting Percentage – Ifenna Cos-Okpalla – .643
Assists – Maddie Waak – 49
Aces – Tatum Thomas – 2
Digs – Ellee Stinson – 13
Blocks – Ifenna Cos-Okpalla – 6

UP NEXT
The Aggies return to Reed Arena for their home opener where they host A&M-Corpus Christi Monday with first serve set for 4 p.m.