'Something great' in store as Ags meet unbeaten Huskers in Elite Eight

Something great is about to happen.

Logan Lednicky read those words on a small piece of paper near the scoring table midway through Friday’s Louisville Sweet 16 match.

The words etched themselves into her teammates as Texas A&M (26-4) powered through the Cardinals’ resolute force to pull off a cinematic reverse sweep.

Down two sets with momentum dwindling, the Aggies did what they have in moments like this all season.

They trusted who they are.

Their season was saved, and their devout belief rewarded.

A&M’s trust in each other punched a ticket to the program’s first Elite Eight since 2001 and the front porch of history.

Now, something greater awaits.

Inside the Bob Devaney Center, where perfection is bred, A&M will face undefeated Nebraska on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT with a trip to the Final Four in Kansas City at stake.

Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Logan Lednicky had a team-high 20 kills in Friday’s win over Louisville.

The Cornhuskers have won 48 straight sets and 62 consecutive matches at home in an arena that lives and breathes volleyball. On top of that, the No. 1 overall seed has not dropped a set in a month and has only lost four over the past three months.

But A&M has everything this match requires: Belief, resolve and a program capable of reaching the impossible.

Their belief has been forged by a coach who has had full faith in what this program could become since arriving.

“On Friday, I took a look around the gym and took it all in and realized this is why I’m here,” head coach Jamie Morrison said. “God put me on this planet to do this.”

His faith has never been stronger than it is right now. It has been crafted in moments where doubt crept into their huddles. In the ticks of doubt against Louisville, the Aggies became themselves with faith in each other, their coaches and their system.

“We show it in those moments when we need it the most,” Morrison said. “The thing I’m most proud of is when things are down, we become a purer version of who we are.”

The core nature of the Ags will be tested against a Nebraska team with no evident weaknesses.

Andi Jackson leads the nation in hitting percentage. Harper Murray can end rallies when she pleases. Three-time Big Ten Setter of the Year Bergen Reilly is the engine of an offense that plows through any opposing hesitation.

Led by those three AVCA Player of the Year Semifinalists, the Cornhuskers are disciplined, efficient and relentless.

But the pressure of protecting an undefeated season can overwhelm them in times like these. The Aggies have a chance to catch the Huskers off guard, especially when they arrive with nothing to defend except their complete belief in what they can accomplish.

All-Americans Lednicky and Ifenna Cos-Okpalla have helped build this program brick by brick for this exact chance. The team’s consistency is exemplified by these two stars, who have transformed their collective belief into persistent performances.

Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Logan Lednicky (9) and Ifenna Cos-Okpalla (1) have combined for 2,252 kills and 902 blocks across 759 sets during their Texas A&M careers.

“Logan and Ifenna are two of the best players in the country, if not the world,” Morrison said. “They deserve to be on that stage.

“They’ve helped build this. They wanted to be at a program where they could build it into something special. They’ve done just that, and it won’t stop here.”

Their rightfully earned stage is the biggest they’ve ever experienced.

Sunday’s match is the last step to A&M’s first Final Four appearance in program history. The step on the path to historic legacy.

The ink of the words ‘Something great is about to happen’ has been injected into the team’s maroon blood. If they defeat the Cornhuskers, it won’t just be something great that happened.

It will be something unforgettable.

“When I took over this program, I wanted to get it back to where it was and take it further,” Morrison said. “Now it is time to take it further.”

Sunday isn’t about the betting odds or win streaks. It’s not about perfection.

It’s about faith.

In each other, in their years of hard work, and in the idea that to change history, you have to fully believe in what you're set out to do.

If the Aggies stick to that, then something great is about to happen.