This will be our thread for the player profiles I've been working on in the last forum. I'm starting with the freshman, then I'll work my way up! This will give us a chance to learn the roster! 
2025 Player Profiles
5,550 Views |
45 Replies |
Last: 19 days ago by theagmax
Addi Applegate
Applegate was a 4 year lettermen for Yorktown High School, a dominant volleyball program. She was the Libero all 4 years for Yorktown where she surpassed 2000 career digs, an outstanding accomplishment. A career 4.5 digs per set and 14.8 digs per match. Those are impressive over a 4 year stretch. Also of note she had 161 aces. She led her senior year team to the Indiana State Championship Game, but they fell just short.
She played club volleyball for Munciana. A long time club serving the Muncie, Indiana metropolitan area. She was a part of a Munciana team that won a Junior Volleyball National Championship. She was a Libero/DS along with Lola Schumacher of Wisconsin, a Stanford signee and Penn State signee creating one of the best back rows in the club scene. Her team was littered with divison 1 talent.
Throughout her prep and high school career she was a Max Preps All American, Prep Volleyball All American, AVCA All American and a JVA All American. She also participated in the USA National Team Development Program with the top youth prospects across America.
Applegate has been enrolled since January and worked with the team all spring! She played a lot in the spring matches, especially with Tatum Thomas out. Morrison likes to utilize defensive specialists, so I expect we will see a lot of outstanding freshman this fall. She's a great passer and you wouldn't be able to tell she's only a freshman. She looked strong throughout the spring and received rave reviews from fans in attendance!
The Aggies only lost one player who played consistent minutes from last fall in DS Ellee Stinson. The return and improvement of Libero Ava Underwood and Tatum Thomas will ease that loss, but having Applegate eases it even more! Underwood and Thomas are both seniors, so a year under their wing will be really beneficial to Applegate. After this upcoming 2025 season, Applegate will be thrust into a major leadership role as the lone returner in the back row, but in 2026 the Aggies will have an excellent duo of Gabi Rodriguez and Jenna Thedford to join Applegate in the back row.
Here's what Head Coach Jamie Morrison had to say on Applegate, "She is one of the best serve receive liberos in the class. She has the ability to take a hard driven ball and not only dig it but put it in a good place for her setter to run the offense in rhythm."
It's easy to only think about the star studded senior class this team is composed of, but there is a strong freshman class that will add some balance and depth to this team. This was Jamie Morrison's first full recruiting class. Applegate will be a huge addition not only in the back row, but to this team and to this university. I think she's going to have an excellent career in Aggieland!
- Number: 2
- Class: Freshman
- Position: Libero / Defensive Specialist
- Hometown: Yorktown, Indiana
- High School: Yorktown High School
- Club Team: Munciana
- Height: 5'5
- Major: Sport Management
- 12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/addi-applegate/14790
Applegate was a 4 year lettermen for Yorktown High School, a dominant volleyball program. She was the Libero all 4 years for Yorktown where she surpassed 2000 career digs, an outstanding accomplishment. A career 4.5 digs per set and 14.8 digs per match. Those are impressive over a 4 year stretch. Also of note she had 161 aces. She led her senior year team to the Indiana State Championship Game, but they fell just short.
She played club volleyball for Munciana. A long time club serving the Muncie, Indiana metropolitan area. She was a part of a Munciana team that won a Junior Volleyball National Championship. She was a Libero/DS along with Lola Schumacher of Wisconsin, a Stanford signee and Penn State signee creating one of the best back rows in the club scene. Her team was littered with divison 1 talent.
Throughout her prep and high school career she was a Max Preps All American, Prep Volleyball All American, AVCA All American and a JVA All American. She also participated in the USA National Team Development Program with the top youth prospects across America.
Applegate has been enrolled since January and worked with the team all spring! She played a lot in the spring matches, especially with Tatum Thomas out. Morrison likes to utilize defensive specialists, so I expect we will see a lot of outstanding freshman this fall. She's a great passer and you wouldn't be able to tell she's only a freshman. She looked strong throughout the spring and received rave reviews from fans in attendance!
The Aggies only lost one player who played consistent minutes from last fall in DS Ellee Stinson. The return and improvement of Libero Ava Underwood and Tatum Thomas will ease that loss, but having Applegate eases it even more! Underwood and Thomas are both seniors, so a year under their wing will be really beneficial to Applegate. After this upcoming 2025 season, Applegate will be thrust into a major leadership role as the lone returner in the back row, but in 2026 the Aggies will have an excellent duo of Gabi Rodriguez and Jenna Thedford to join Applegate in the back row.
Here's what Head Coach Jamie Morrison had to say on Applegate, "She is one of the best serve receive liberos in the class. She has the ability to take a hard driven ball and not only dig it but put it in a good place for her setter to run the offense in rhythm."
It's easy to only think about the star studded senior class this team is composed of, but there is a strong freshman class that will add some balance and depth to this team. This was Jamie Morrison's first full recruiting class. Applegate will be a huge addition not only in the back row, but to this team and to this university. I think she's going to have an excellent career in Aggieland!
Taryn Morris
Morris is part of Jamie Morrison's first full recruiting class. She committed to Texas A&M in the summer of 2023. She was a key piece for Morrison and her big arm is a main reason why! Her junior year for Braswell she put together an outstanding season where she put 565 kills and 587 digs and was the District Player of the year in a tough district. That versatility shows she's an amazing and capable 6 rotation player. She is listed as an Opposite Hitter and Outside Hitter. On our team we currently only have one opposite or right side hitter and that's Logan Lednicky. Morris has a strong arm and will learn a whole lot from Lednicky.
Morris was a Prep Volleyball All American. She played club volleyball with Texas Advantage (TAV) based out of the DFW area. TAV is arguably one of the top club teams in Texas and the nation. Their 16 team is loaded with recruits I'd love for us to land. Morris helped her team to a top 5 finish at USA Nationals. She was also part of the USA National Volleyball Team Development Program.
Morris is a tall athlete with a long standing reach. From her highlights she can really get over the net and has some power behind her swing. Like I mentioned above, we only have one other right side on our roster in Logan Lednicky. Having a young talent like Morris will allow us to give Logan some rest in matches. Morris also has many highlights on the left side as well and is a very capable outside hitter! That versatility is amazing tool to have! When our senior class is gone after this 2025 season, we'll have an excellent opposite in Morris as well as 2026 commit Brooke Lacewell. However, Morris can play on either side which makes her such a great piece to have for the future.
Morris brings in a huge arm and some depth to the pin position. She is a very versatile player that can play all 6 rotations even at 6'3. She can receive on the defensive side and presents a strong block at the net! Morrison loves versatile players and is known to develop multiple aspects in one's game. Here is what he had to say about Taryn, "Taryn [Morris] has the potential to play on either pin as an opposite or outside," Morrison said. "She is a rarity in the junior's world in that she plays six rotations as an opposite. With that comes just about every tool you can have. She plays good defense, has a good serve, and plays an all-around game."
High praise for the freshman! We saw excellent glimpses of her this spring, I'm excited to see the player and Aggie Morris will grow into the next 4 years! The future of Aggie Volleyball is bright and a lot of is it due to our excellent freshman like Taryn Morris.
- Number: 6
- Class: Freshman
- Position: Outside Hitter / Opposite
- Hometown: Little Elm, Texas
- High School: Denton Braswell High School
- Club Team: Texas Advantage
- Height: 6'3
- Major: Business Administration
- 12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/taryn-morris/14791
Morris is part of Jamie Morrison's first full recruiting class. She committed to Texas A&M in the summer of 2023. She was a key piece for Morrison and her big arm is a main reason why! Her junior year for Braswell she put together an outstanding season where she put 565 kills and 587 digs and was the District Player of the year in a tough district. That versatility shows she's an amazing and capable 6 rotation player. She is listed as an Opposite Hitter and Outside Hitter. On our team we currently only have one opposite or right side hitter and that's Logan Lednicky. Morris has a strong arm and will learn a whole lot from Lednicky.
Morris was a Prep Volleyball All American. She played club volleyball with Texas Advantage (TAV) based out of the DFW area. TAV is arguably one of the top club teams in Texas and the nation. Their 16 team is loaded with recruits I'd love for us to land. Morris helped her team to a top 5 finish at USA Nationals. She was also part of the USA National Volleyball Team Development Program.
Morris is a tall athlete with a long standing reach. From her highlights she can really get over the net and has some power behind her swing. Like I mentioned above, we only have one other right side on our roster in Logan Lednicky. Having a young talent like Morris will allow us to give Logan some rest in matches. Morris also has many highlights on the left side as well and is a very capable outside hitter! That versatility is amazing tool to have! When our senior class is gone after this 2025 season, we'll have an excellent opposite in Morris as well as 2026 commit Brooke Lacewell. However, Morris can play on either side which makes her such a great piece to have for the future.
Morris brings in a huge arm and some depth to the pin position. She is a very versatile player that can play all 6 rotations even at 6'3. She can receive on the defensive side and presents a strong block at the net! Morrison loves versatile players and is known to develop multiple aspects in one's game. Here is what he had to say about Taryn, "Taryn [Morris] has the potential to play on either pin as an opposite or outside," Morrison said. "She is a rarity in the junior's world in that she plays six rotations as an opposite. With that comes just about every tool you can have. She plays good defense, has a good serve, and plays an all-around game."
High praise for the freshman! We saw excellent glimpses of her this spring, I'm excited to see the player and Aggie Morris will grow into the next 4 years! The future of Aggie Volleyball is bright and a lot of is it due to our excellent freshman like Taryn Morris.
Kirra Musgrove
Kirra played volleyball at Lutheran South Academy, a private school in Houston that competed in the TAAPS division. she was a multiple time all district and all state member for LSA. Now I'm warning you, these are actually her stats. Her stat line is alarmist impossible to believe. As primarily a setter, she amassed 2,030 assists. Impressive in its own right, however, we're not done there. She also had 1,854 kills, 1,271 digs, and 304 aces. I don't know what her school's mascot was, but it should be the Lutheran South Academy Kirra Musgrove's because that stat line is wild! Look up versatility in the dictionary and Kirra's photo should come out!!
Club wise she played with Houston Skyline. Now if you're not familiar with Houston Skyline, buckle in because a third of our roster played for this club and even our coaching staff has worked for or with Skyline! At only 15 she played with Skyline's 17 team and finished 3rd at nationals and earned all tournament team! Setting for a team with that talent and with older girls will help her translate to the college game. Fun fact, our 2 other setters Maddie Waak and Margot Manning also played for Houston Skyline!
Other members on our team with Houston Skyline connections are Logan Lednicky, Morgan Perkins, and Ava Underwood. While Lexi Guinn and Emily Hellmuth played for Dallas Skyline. It's fitting that all our setters are from the same club! Although most of setting duties will go to Maddie Waak, who played excellent for us last season. I'm sure we'll see some of Margot Manning and Musgrove. We saw in the scrimmage against SMU, Musgrove would sub in while we were serving. Standing at 6'2, she's much taller than Waak and Manning. She can provide a bigger block at the net! We saw in high school she played all over the court so her versatility along with her touch will be a presence to this team, as well as her serving ability!
A theme in these early recruits of the Morrison Era is versatility. I discussed this about Taryn Morris, we see a lot of versatility in Musgrove's game! It's good to know that despite being primarily brought in as a setter, she can do plenty for the Aggies. She looked really strong this spring, setters one of the toughest positions to adapt to at the college level as the speed is much faster, so hiccups are expected for a young freshman. But she shined through and showed great promise.
Jamie Morrison had this to stay on her setting and versatility, "Kirra [Musgrove] is first and foremost one of the best setters in the class," Morrison said. "She has great touch as a setter and experience running a fast offense that will fit what we are trying to do in Aggieland. She is also a physical athlete that can play the opposite position if needed and adds a presence at the net as a blocker regardless of what position she is playing."
It's known we have a stellar senior class. Part of that class is Senior setter Maddie Waak. Her setting led us to a sweet sixteen and with another year and off-season with this team, her game should be even more improved. However, Musgrove is just as capable and will get to learn behind Waak! Also I'm sure we'll see her set in some matches or display her versatility playing at the net.
Musgrove is only a freshman, but the future of Aggie Volleyball is in her hands (literally). She's the setter of the future and that should give every Aggie some hope and faith in the direction of Aggie Volleyball.
Also if you're a fan or become a fan of Kirra and get used to a Musgrove setting for the Aggies, you're in luck, her little sister Addison is a part of the Houston Skyline 15 Royal team and class of 2028!
- Number: 14
- Class: Freshman
- Position: Setter
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
- High School: Lutheran South Academy
- Club Team: Houston Skyline
- Height: 6'2
- Major: Business Administration
- 12th Man Bio: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/kirra-musgrove/14793
Kirra played volleyball at Lutheran South Academy, a private school in Houston that competed in the TAAPS division. she was a multiple time all district and all state member for LSA. Now I'm warning you, these are actually her stats. Her stat line is alarmist impossible to believe. As primarily a setter, she amassed 2,030 assists. Impressive in its own right, however, we're not done there. She also had 1,854 kills, 1,271 digs, and 304 aces. I don't know what her school's mascot was, but it should be the Lutheran South Academy Kirra Musgrove's because that stat line is wild! Look up versatility in the dictionary and Kirra's photo should come out!!
Club wise she played with Houston Skyline. Now if you're not familiar with Houston Skyline, buckle in because a third of our roster played for this club and even our coaching staff has worked for or with Skyline! At only 15 she played with Skyline's 17 team and finished 3rd at nationals and earned all tournament team! Setting for a team with that talent and with older girls will help her translate to the college game. Fun fact, our 2 other setters Maddie Waak and Margot Manning also played for Houston Skyline!
Other members on our team with Houston Skyline connections are Logan Lednicky, Morgan Perkins, and Ava Underwood. While Lexi Guinn and Emily Hellmuth played for Dallas Skyline. It's fitting that all our setters are from the same club! Although most of setting duties will go to Maddie Waak, who played excellent for us last season. I'm sure we'll see some of Margot Manning and Musgrove. We saw in the scrimmage against SMU, Musgrove would sub in while we were serving. Standing at 6'2, she's much taller than Waak and Manning. She can provide a bigger block at the net! We saw in high school she played all over the court so her versatility along with her touch will be a presence to this team, as well as her serving ability!
A theme in these early recruits of the Morrison Era is versatility. I discussed this about Taryn Morris, we see a lot of versatility in Musgrove's game! It's good to know that despite being primarily brought in as a setter, she can do plenty for the Aggies. She looked really strong this spring, setters one of the toughest positions to adapt to at the college level as the speed is much faster, so hiccups are expected for a young freshman. But she shined through and showed great promise.
Jamie Morrison had this to stay on her setting and versatility, "Kirra [Musgrove] is first and foremost one of the best setters in the class," Morrison said. "She has great touch as a setter and experience running a fast offense that will fit what we are trying to do in Aggieland. She is also a physical athlete that can play the opposite position if needed and adds a presence at the net as a blocker regardless of what position she is playing."
It's known we have a stellar senior class. Part of that class is Senior setter Maddie Waak. Her setting led us to a sweet sixteen and with another year and off-season with this team, her game should be even more improved. However, Musgrove is just as capable and will get to learn behind Waak! Also I'm sure we'll see her set in some matches or display her versatility playing at the net.
Musgrove is only a freshman, but the future of Aggie Volleyball is in her hands (literally). She's the setter of the future and that should give every Aggie some hope and faith in the direction of Aggie Volleyball.
Also if you're a fan or become a fan of Kirra and get used to a Musgrove setting for the Aggies, you're in luck, her little sister Addison is a part of the Houston Skyline 15 Royal team and class of 2028!
Megan Fitch
Cornerstone Christian (CCS) is a private school in Northwest San Antonio and year in and year out is one of the top volleyball high school teams in the country. Littered with D1 prospects (and led by our very own Megan Fitch) CCS plays a national schedule which included tournaments in Hawaii, Vegas, Phoenix, and all over Texas. I'd say they have a bigger budget than most Texas high schools lol. Her 4 year stats aren't fully published online, but she amassed over 1000 kills and as a 6 rotation player she tallied many digs and aces as well! She was often all state for Texas private schools and was a Max Preps All American and AVCA All American as well. She's long been part of the USA National Team Development Programs (as all our signees have lol). She's played heavy completion all year round and comes into college about as battle tested as one could be!
She played club volleyball for Alamo Volleyball based out of San Antonio. This club team is on a tear recently and is now one of the top teams in Texas. The San Antonio volleyball community is on the rise! In 2022 Fitch and Alamo Volleyball won the 15's National Championship where she was MVP of the tournament proving her to be one of the top recruits in the country. She lived up to the high billing the rest of her prep career as her explosive arm and crazy height made her a must watch every time she stepped on the court.
Megan Fitch is your prototypical 6 rotation player. She's someone you never want to take off the court. She can dig really well defensively and provide a strong block. She has a strong vertical that pops out when watching her play. Most college outsides have long been 6'3 and above but recently we're seeing a strong presence from pin hitters with less size like Ana DeBeer, Olivia Babcock, and even Kyndal Stowers who's on our team at 5'10! But no need to worry about size with Fitch as she sky's over the net. You'll also see a lot of back row attacks from Fitch.
Morrison had this to say about Fitch's versatility, "She has a pure platform and can pass the ball as well as most college upperclassmen. There are other players in the class that bring that ball control but what makes her stand out is her ability to do it at her size. She brings height to the outside hitter position and athleticism that will be fun to watch for years."
Volleyball is a sport that you have to recruit 2 or 3 years out. A lot of girls make their decision before their junior years. So 2025 is the first class where Jamie and his staff got to really get to analyze, offer, and recruit. Fitch was one of the first athletes that Morrison and Co really went after and landed early! She believed in the vision of Morrison's program 2 years ago when it just started.
That's why I'm a huge fan of these 4 recruits. They believed in Jamie early, they all committed in 2023. Now they get to be a part of something special! We have plenty of senior outside hitters on this roster: Emily Hellmuth, Taylor Humphrey, Brooke Jeffrey, Lexi Guinn. The future of that position will be on sophomore Kyndal Stowers and Freshman Megan Fitch. However, we might not have to wait till the future to see them on the court representing the maroon and white. Fitch will have an All American career here in Aggieland. The Reed Arena floor better be ready for her kills!
P.S. her sister Sydney Fitch is Aggie Tennis Alum and AGGIE TENNIS NATIONAL CHAMPION!! She was an Air Force grad but transferred to play tennis at Texas A&M with her final year of eligibility. Hopefully the Fitch household will be home to two Aggie National Champions soon!
And here's her with her sister Aggie Tennis National Champion Sydney Fitch!
- Number: 20
- Class: Freshman
- Position: Outside Hitter
- Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
- High School: Cornerstone Christian School
- Club Team: Alamo
- Height: 6'2
- Major: Biology
- 12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/megan-fitch/14792
Cornerstone Christian (CCS) is a private school in Northwest San Antonio and year in and year out is one of the top volleyball high school teams in the country. Littered with D1 prospects (and led by our very own Megan Fitch) CCS plays a national schedule which included tournaments in Hawaii, Vegas, Phoenix, and all over Texas. I'd say they have a bigger budget than most Texas high schools lol. Her 4 year stats aren't fully published online, but she amassed over 1000 kills and as a 6 rotation player she tallied many digs and aces as well! She was often all state for Texas private schools and was a Max Preps All American and AVCA All American as well. She's long been part of the USA National Team Development Programs (as all our signees have lol). She's played heavy completion all year round and comes into college about as battle tested as one could be!
She played club volleyball for Alamo Volleyball based out of San Antonio. This club team is on a tear recently and is now one of the top teams in Texas. The San Antonio volleyball community is on the rise! In 2022 Fitch and Alamo Volleyball won the 15's National Championship where she was MVP of the tournament proving her to be one of the top recruits in the country. She lived up to the high billing the rest of her prep career as her explosive arm and crazy height made her a must watch every time she stepped on the court.
Megan Fitch is your prototypical 6 rotation player. She's someone you never want to take off the court. She can dig really well defensively and provide a strong block. She has a strong vertical that pops out when watching her play. Most college outsides have long been 6'3 and above but recently we're seeing a strong presence from pin hitters with less size like Ana DeBeer, Olivia Babcock, and even Kyndal Stowers who's on our team at 5'10! But no need to worry about size with Fitch as she sky's over the net. You'll also see a lot of back row attacks from Fitch.
Morrison had this to say about Fitch's versatility, "She has a pure platform and can pass the ball as well as most college upperclassmen. There are other players in the class that bring that ball control but what makes her stand out is her ability to do it at her size. She brings height to the outside hitter position and athleticism that will be fun to watch for years."
Volleyball is a sport that you have to recruit 2 or 3 years out. A lot of girls make their decision before their junior years. So 2025 is the first class where Jamie and his staff got to really get to analyze, offer, and recruit. Fitch was one of the first athletes that Morrison and Co really went after and landed early! She believed in the vision of Morrison's program 2 years ago when it just started.
That's why I'm a huge fan of these 4 recruits. They believed in Jamie early, they all committed in 2023. Now they get to be a part of something special! We have plenty of senior outside hitters on this roster: Emily Hellmuth, Taylor Humphrey, Brooke Jeffrey, Lexi Guinn. The future of that position will be on sophomore Kyndal Stowers and Freshman Megan Fitch. However, we might not have to wait till the future to see them on the court representing the maroon and white. Fitch will have an All American career here in Aggieland. The Reed Arena floor better be ready for her kills!
P.S. her sister Sydney Fitch is Aggie Tennis Alum and AGGIE TENNIS NATIONAL CHAMPION!! She was an Air Force grad but transferred to play tennis at Texas A&M with her final year of eligibility. Hopefully the Fitch household will be home to two Aggie National Champions soon!
And here's her with her sister Aggie Tennis National Champion Sydney Fitch!
Everyone meet our 4 freshman enrollees! Addi Applegate, Taryn Morris, Kirra Musgrove, and Megan Fitch!! These 4 were part of a top ten recruiting class. They all committed in 2023! Before Jamie coached one season. They believed in the vision of this staff and wanted to play for this school! They deserve all our support!!!
We also just recently added a freshman middle blocker from Serbia, Djurdja Stanojevic!! We also have redshirt freshman Amare Hernandez, I'll do their write ups next!!!
Amare Hernandez
She is from McAllen, Texas close to where I grew up. I had to watch my cousin lose sleep twice a year having to game plan to Coach against Amare lol. The Rio Grande Valley may produce a handful of Division 1 volleyball prospects every few years, and hardly to a power 4 conference. Amare had a unique recruiting experience as she wasn't recruited as a junior to Texas A&M like everyone else. Rarely in this sport do you see a prospect commit and sign to a power 4 team in their senior year, but that's what happened with Amare. In fact, she wasn't recruited by A&M at all until she attended a summer camp with some friends at Reed Arena! She was going through some drills and Jamie heard the sound of her hitting the volleyball and went up and offered her on the spot. Texas A&M had no commits for the 2024 class given that other schools had a 2 year head start. Texas A&M was Amare's dream school and a school she grew up a fan of thanks to her lots of family members who are Aggies! She jumped on the offer and committed soon thereafter!
Although the competition in the valley isn't the strongest, Amare showed out every single match. She finished her career with over 1500 kills and was a district MVP as well as hitter of the year and blocker of the year. She played club ball with Valley Venom. A top club down in South, Texas.
She is best known for her powerful swing. She red shirted last year as I'm sure the jump from her high school competition to the SEC was a major jump. So a year under Jamie's guidance should have been really beneficial! She played in the spring matches and showed out well! There's a lot of upper class talent ahead of her on the depth chart but I really hope she gets in some sets this year. We lose 5 pin hitters to graduation next year. So it would be really awesome to get her some reps this year.
The good news is that with a redshirt (which is not as common in volleyball nowadays) she gets 4 more years to play for Texas A&M! At the outside position following this coming year, we'll have Kyndal Stowers, Megan Fitch, Amare, and 2026 commits Sara Bowcutt and Brooke Lacewell. Although I'm sure one of them will play opposite. Let's hope Hernandez gets some reps this fall to get her ready for the future! She's making the Rio Grande Valley proud, and I know personally she's why a lot of young girls in the valley follow Texas A&M Volleyball and are all interested in A&M Volleyball camps!
Also she apparently does a lot of the girls hair before the game and is the queen of braiding hair!! As a coach of girls, the hair braider is one of the most important pieces to a team lol. She was also a regional qualifier high jumper and on all 3 relays in track and field!
- Number: 8
- Class: Redshirt Freshman
- Position: Outside Hitter
- Hometown: McAllen, Texas
- High School: McAllen Memorial High School
- Club Team: Valley Venom
- Height: 5'11
- Major: General Studies
She is from McAllen, Texas close to where I grew up. I had to watch my cousin lose sleep twice a year having to game plan to Coach against Amare lol. The Rio Grande Valley may produce a handful of Division 1 volleyball prospects every few years, and hardly to a power 4 conference. Amare had a unique recruiting experience as she wasn't recruited as a junior to Texas A&M like everyone else. Rarely in this sport do you see a prospect commit and sign to a power 4 team in their senior year, but that's what happened with Amare. In fact, she wasn't recruited by A&M at all until she attended a summer camp with some friends at Reed Arena! She was going through some drills and Jamie heard the sound of her hitting the volleyball and went up and offered her on the spot. Texas A&M had no commits for the 2024 class given that other schools had a 2 year head start. Texas A&M was Amare's dream school and a school she grew up a fan of thanks to her lots of family members who are Aggies! She jumped on the offer and committed soon thereafter!
Although the competition in the valley isn't the strongest, Amare showed out every single match. She finished her career with over 1500 kills and was a district MVP as well as hitter of the year and blocker of the year. She played club ball with Valley Venom. A top club down in South, Texas.
She is best known for her powerful swing. She red shirted last year as I'm sure the jump from her high school competition to the SEC was a major jump. So a year under Jamie's guidance should have been really beneficial! She played in the spring matches and showed out well! There's a lot of upper class talent ahead of her on the depth chart but I really hope she gets in some sets this year. We lose 5 pin hitters to graduation next year. So it would be really awesome to get her some reps this year.
The good news is that with a redshirt (which is not as common in volleyball nowadays) she gets 4 more years to play for Texas A&M! At the outside position following this coming year, we'll have Kyndal Stowers, Megan Fitch, Amare, and 2026 commits Sara Bowcutt and Brooke Lacewell. Although I'm sure one of them will play opposite. Let's hope Hernandez gets some reps this fall to get her ready for the future! She's making the Rio Grande Valley proud, and I know personally she's why a lot of young girls in the valley follow Texas A&M Volleyball and are all interested in A&M Volleyball camps!
Also she apparently does a lot of the girls hair before the game and is the queen of braiding hair!! As a coach of girls, the hair braider is one of the most important pieces to a team lol. She was also a regional qualifier high jumper and on all 3 relays in track and field!
Djurdja Stanojevic
Jamie Morrison has coached overseas and he's coached the United States at numerous international competitions. He's seen the game played all over the globe, he's seen different styles of play, different styles of training, he's seen volleyball all over. He's coached youth teams in international tournaments. He's coached some of the top girls in the US, but he's gone against some of the best athletes in the world on the other side of the net. 2 years ago Jaime Morrison and the US U19 team faced Stanojevic and Serbia. He came away impressed with her play and did all he could to get her to come to College Station.
He had this to say about that experience, "I had the privilege of getting to coach against her at the U19 World Championships and since then, she has faced some of the best players in the world with her current team. She is one of the best blockers I have seen at her age, and she will add to our team on the court and as a human."
Safe to say we needed a middle blocker desperately. We seem to had added depth at every position aside from blocker. We had an elite high school middle committed, but she decided to give up volleyball to focus on track. So this was one position where we all hoped we'd add in the portal this winter. But Jamie is showing that he's not willing to add anyone just to fill out a roster. He's going to do his due diligence and find someone's that a perfect fit for this team.
We may have one of the best middle blocker duos in the entire nation. Ifenna Cos-Okpalla is an All-American caliber player and Morgan Perkins should be all conference this year and work into the All-American conversation! They both looked phenomenal the last spring match. However, they are the only two at the position and both seniors. This signing will prove to be valuable! We do have one 2026 commit in Lolufe Adedeji, so we'll have two young players next year! Much like Perkins and Cos-Okpalla will have played together for 3 years.
Stanojevic has played a lot of international volleyball. She's represented her country for many years. Serbia is constantly a top volleyball country. She last represented them at the U21 level at 17 years of age. She currently plays in a pro league. That experience will be huge for us to have on the roster and she can lead us in the middle in 2026! This international signing can prove valuable, it can open a talented pipeline overseas. Jamie Morrison has coached overseas many times, I'm certain this will not be the last international player in the Jamie Morrison era! I'm excited to have Djurdja on our team and at our university! Hopefully she enjoys the culture shock coming from Belgrade to College Station!
P.S. her Instagram aesthetic is top tier! Her fashion sense is a 10/10! Hopefully she can find instagrammable spots in College Station lol! And also Happy Early Birthday Djurdja!
- Number: 7
- Class: Freshman
- Hometown: Belgrade, Serbia
- Club Team: Tent Obrenovac
- Height: 6'1
- Major: Psychology
Jamie Morrison has coached overseas and he's coached the United States at numerous international competitions. He's seen the game played all over the globe, he's seen different styles of play, different styles of training, he's seen volleyball all over. He's coached youth teams in international tournaments. He's coached some of the top girls in the US, but he's gone against some of the best athletes in the world on the other side of the net. 2 years ago Jaime Morrison and the US U19 team faced Stanojevic and Serbia. He came away impressed with her play and did all he could to get her to come to College Station.
He had this to say about that experience, "I had the privilege of getting to coach against her at the U19 World Championships and since then, she has faced some of the best players in the world with her current team. She is one of the best blockers I have seen at her age, and she will add to our team on the court and as a human."
Safe to say we needed a middle blocker desperately. We seem to had added depth at every position aside from blocker. We had an elite high school middle committed, but she decided to give up volleyball to focus on track. So this was one position where we all hoped we'd add in the portal this winter. But Jamie is showing that he's not willing to add anyone just to fill out a roster. He's going to do his due diligence and find someone's that a perfect fit for this team.
We may have one of the best middle blocker duos in the entire nation. Ifenna Cos-Okpalla is an All-American caliber player and Morgan Perkins should be all conference this year and work into the All-American conversation! They both looked phenomenal the last spring match. However, they are the only two at the position and both seniors. This signing will prove to be valuable! We do have one 2026 commit in Lolufe Adedeji, so we'll have two young players next year! Much like Perkins and Cos-Okpalla will have played together for 3 years.
Stanojevic has played a lot of international volleyball. She's represented her country for many years. Serbia is constantly a top volleyball country. She last represented them at the U21 level at 17 years of age. She currently plays in a pro league. That experience will be huge for us to have on the roster and she can lead us in the middle in 2026! This international signing can prove valuable, it can open a talented pipeline overseas. Jamie Morrison has coached overseas many times, I'm certain this will not be the last international player in the Jamie Morrison era! I'm excited to have Djurdja on our team and at our university! Hopefully she enjoys the culture shock coming from Belgrade to College Station!
P.S. her Instagram aesthetic is top tier! Her fashion sense is a 10/10! Hopefully she can find instagrammable spots in College Station lol! And also Happy Early Birthday Djurdja!
Thanks for the write up!
Kyndal Stowers
Going back to high school at Denton Guyer, Stowers was a 5 star high school All American recruit! She was the number one overall player in Texas and the number 6 recruit in the nation according to Prep Dig. She was highly sought after as she played for Texas Advantage, a premier volleyball club in the country! TAV has been crowned the top club in the country for 9 years in a row, its alumni list is impressive. It's also where freshman Taryn Morris played. She earned every All American honor one could receive in high school and club volleyball. While every school in the country wanted her, she fell in love with Baylor and committed there.
During her freshman season, Stowers got off to a hot hot start! She was the workhorse for Baylor! She recorded 12 double digit kill matches, averaging 15 kills a game and 8.7 digs a game. She was a 6 rotation player who as a freshman was well on her way to fighting for Big 12 Freshman of the Year and being one of the top freshman in the NCAA. She also averaged 1 ace a match, and had 4 matches with 2 or more aces! At 5'11 her vertical and athleticism are excellent! She was great at every spot on the court and her highlights were so fun to watch! She won Big 12 freshman of the week twice in a row and was even once big 12 offensive player of the week! She was dominating at the age of 18!
Unfortunately, her freshman season was cut short due to injury. I don't know the exact information, but from what I've gathered (sorry if any of this is inaccurate), she suffered multiple concussions and they ended her season due to the multiple concussions and took a precautionary measure to sit her out. Baylor took a deep hit losing Stowers. However, where all this took an even wild turn was before the 2024 season. Before this last season Baylor's medical team decided Kyndal Stowers was unfit to play due to her concussion history. Not sure how accurate this statement is, but I read that they wanted her to medically retire. Kyndal believed she could play and had found doctors who disagreed with the Baylor medical staff. They removed her from the roster.
So before the 2024 season even began, she announced she would enter the portal in December and start elsewhere in 2025. Not many "volleyball experts" saw Texas A&M as a possibility. The first schools that came to mind were Oregon, TCU, Texas, SMU, as I'm sure many fans wanted her to commit to their school! However, we all knew where she ultimately decided. On December 19th, Kyndal Stowers announced her commitment to Jamie Morrison and Texas A&M! A few of us on here saw a chance of it happening, but watching it unfold was amazing!
Kyndal enrolled in January and quickly become acclimating and training with the team. Fans saw their injury concerns go away as she participated in spring practices and even the spring matches! She played exceptionally well and looks to lead out outside hitter room! Last year rotating on the outside was Taylor Humphrey and Emily Hellmuth! Both as transfers stepped up and played well, but as every players does had their ups and downs. Stowers is a better defender and passer and falls into the versatile 6 rotation player that Jamie loves! In big matches it felt like Lednicky and the middle were our only solid and reliable options! Stowers will give us another huge arm to go to. She's also got an incredible back row attack, which I'm sure we will see lots of! Against SMU in our last scrimmage, she led the team in hitting tied with Hellmuth and Lednicky but hit at a higher percentage! So it seems she's fitting in just fine!
From all accounts, the transition to Aggieland seems to be going extremely well for Stowers. She seems really close to the girls and that chemistry will pay dividends for this team! We upgraded at the outside hitter position and the competition will push the other girls! Stowers is a redshirt sophomore, so along with this season, she'll have 2 more years to play after! She is a strong piece that can be the cornerstone of this program in 2026 and 2027! After having her freshman year cut short and missing 2024, the volleyball world will be soon introduced to Kyndal Stowers once again and be reminded of the insane talent that she is. She has all conference and even all American potential! She'll help make this offense so much more versatile and take some pressure off of Lednicky on the right side!
I'm so thankful she found a home in College Station, Texas! I think she's going to do great things here! She's also very open and expressive about her relationship with God which I think is awesome to see! Aggieland meet Kyndal Stowers and remember the name when she's dominating on the court this fall! She's going to be an amazing Aggie Volleyball player and an even more amazing person for our school and community!
Also for those that didn't know… Her brother Eli was a quarterback for the Aggies for a short while before transferring to New Mexico State and then eventually Vanderbilt where he put together an All SEC season at Tight End and will hear his name called in the draft in 2026!
Here's a link to her post explaining why she entered the portal: https://instagr.am/p/C9-VuyHPkF6
- Number: 37
- Class: Redshirt Sophomore
- Position: Outside Hitter
- Hometown: Denton, Texas
- High School: Denton Guyer High School
- Club Team: Texas Advantage
- Height: 5'11
- Major: Business
- 12th Man Bio: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/kyndal-stowers/14794
Going back to high school at Denton Guyer, Stowers was a 5 star high school All American recruit! She was the number one overall player in Texas and the number 6 recruit in the nation according to Prep Dig. She was highly sought after as she played for Texas Advantage, a premier volleyball club in the country! TAV has been crowned the top club in the country for 9 years in a row, its alumni list is impressive. It's also where freshman Taryn Morris played. She earned every All American honor one could receive in high school and club volleyball. While every school in the country wanted her, she fell in love with Baylor and committed there.
During her freshman season, Stowers got off to a hot hot start! She was the workhorse for Baylor! She recorded 12 double digit kill matches, averaging 15 kills a game and 8.7 digs a game. She was a 6 rotation player who as a freshman was well on her way to fighting for Big 12 Freshman of the Year and being one of the top freshman in the NCAA. She also averaged 1 ace a match, and had 4 matches with 2 or more aces! At 5'11 her vertical and athleticism are excellent! She was great at every spot on the court and her highlights were so fun to watch! She won Big 12 freshman of the week twice in a row and was even once big 12 offensive player of the week! She was dominating at the age of 18!
Unfortunately, her freshman season was cut short due to injury. I don't know the exact information, but from what I've gathered (sorry if any of this is inaccurate), she suffered multiple concussions and they ended her season due to the multiple concussions and took a precautionary measure to sit her out. Baylor took a deep hit losing Stowers. However, where all this took an even wild turn was before the 2024 season. Before this last season Baylor's medical team decided Kyndal Stowers was unfit to play due to her concussion history. Not sure how accurate this statement is, but I read that they wanted her to medically retire. Kyndal believed she could play and had found doctors who disagreed with the Baylor medical staff. They removed her from the roster.
So before the 2024 season even began, she announced she would enter the portal in December and start elsewhere in 2025. Not many "volleyball experts" saw Texas A&M as a possibility. The first schools that came to mind were Oregon, TCU, Texas, SMU, as I'm sure many fans wanted her to commit to their school! However, we all knew where she ultimately decided. On December 19th, Kyndal Stowers announced her commitment to Jamie Morrison and Texas A&M! A few of us on here saw a chance of it happening, but watching it unfold was amazing!
Kyndal enrolled in January and quickly become acclimating and training with the team. Fans saw their injury concerns go away as she participated in spring practices and even the spring matches! She played exceptionally well and looks to lead out outside hitter room! Last year rotating on the outside was Taylor Humphrey and Emily Hellmuth! Both as transfers stepped up and played well, but as every players does had their ups and downs. Stowers is a better defender and passer and falls into the versatile 6 rotation player that Jamie loves! In big matches it felt like Lednicky and the middle were our only solid and reliable options! Stowers will give us another huge arm to go to. She's also got an incredible back row attack, which I'm sure we will see lots of! Against SMU in our last scrimmage, she led the team in hitting tied with Hellmuth and Lednicky but hit at a higher percentage! So it seems she's fitting in just fine!
From all accounts, the transition to Aggieland seems to be going extremely well for Stowers. She seems really close to the girls and that chemistry will pay dividends for this team! We upgraded at the outside hitter position and the competition will push the other girls! Stowers is a redshirt sophomore, so along with this season, she'll have 2 more years to play after! She is a strong piece that can be the cornerstone of this program in 2026 and 2027! After having her freshman year cut short and missing 2024, the volleyball world will be soon introduced to Kyndal Stowers once again and be reminded of the insane talent that she is. She has all conference and even all American potential! She'll help make this offense so much more versatile and take some pressure off of Lednicky on the right side!
I'm so thankful she found a home in College Station, Texas! I think she's going to do great things here! She's also very open and expressive about her relationship with God which I think is awesome to see! Aggieland meet Kyndal Stowers and remember the name when she's dominating on the court this fall! She's going to be an amazing Aggie Volleyball player and an even more amazing person for our school and community!
Also for those that didn't know… Her brother Eli was a quarterback for the Aggies for a short while before transferring to New Mexico State and then eventually Vanderbilt where he put together an All SEC season at Tight End and will hear his name called in the draft in 2026!
Here's a link to her post explaining why she entered the portal: https://instagr.am/p/C9-VuyHPkF6
Aggieland meet Kyndal Stowers!! Our lone transfer in this past offseason!
And that wraps up our sophomores
Next up will be our junior class…
Which is one player also lol
(Margot Manning)
Which is one player also lol
(Margot Manning)
Another great early morning post from TS13 !!!
Sure am looking forward to next Fall !!!
Sure am looking forward to next Fall !!!
Thank you for the detailed player accounts. Look forward to visiting the Aggie Volleyball Forum.
Appreciate it!!
Margot Manning
Margot played high school ball at St. John's School and with Houston Skyline! At St John's she surpassed 400 assists in two different seasons. Her junior year she totaled over 400 assists while also adding 65 aces and 150 kills showing her versatility! She was also a key member for Houston Skyline which has proven to be a nice pipeline for Texas A&M and where Jamie and his staff have familiarity as Associate Head Coach Jen Woods helped create Houston Skyline! After a stellar prep career, Manning was a top 150 recruit in the nation and before her junior year committed to a strong Washington program! She ultimately signed with them as well! But only a few months after Jamie took the job here, she asked out of her letter of intent and chose to sign with the Aggies in February of 2023. Her familiarity with Coach Woods and the other Skyline players on campus as well as being close to home with an opportunity for early playing led her to Texas A&M!
She came to A&M the first summer of the Jamie Morrison era. We struggled at the setter position the year before and only had one on campus Nisa Buzultepe who had played sparingly the year prior. We played a 6-2 system where both setters rotated and saw the court! During her freshman season Manning amassed 452 assists, 149 digs, and 38 aces. Those were impressive numbers as a freshman in Jamie's first season at the helm! She has a 32 assist match against Auburn! It was a lot to ask a freshman to set in college and in a new coaches first year, but she was up to the task! She also led the team in aces!
Entering her sophomore year in 2024, Buzultepe enters the portal and we bring in an experienced setter from LSU in Maddie Waak. Waak won out the starting position as we only ran one setter in a 5-1 system. However, Manning would come in every single game in 2024. Her numbers dropped to give way to Waak, but Manning was extremely vital in our offense thanks to her serving ability. Especially in our first round matchup against Colorado State, the match wasn't a cakewalk, but Manning's presence was felt! She delivered 4 aces and very timely aces, including one that sparked a huge run for us en route to victory!
Her serving ability is very impressive and important to our team! She was phenomenal in the spring and was dominating from the service line! This season we'll have 3 setters on the roster and all are capable of leading this team to a deep post season run! Waak did excellent this pst season, Manning was our best server, and now we add Kirra Musgrove who is a bigger presence at the net! Jamie has a lot of weapons at this position! With our impressive block returning, having Manning serving will be so valuable to our team!
She can spark some comebacks, she can further extend leads! Manning is a vital piece to the puzzle! She can relive Waak, or come in when the offense is in a lull! She's the lone junior on the roster and in 2026 will be the Aggie with the most experience! Can't wait to see her on the court this year! She believed early on in Jamie's vision! She was committed to Washington for about a year and a half and was months away from moving to Seattle. She trusted this staff and believed in the future of Texas A&M Volleyball even before seeing a Jamie Morrison product on the floor! This alone should make us all root for her and proud to have her on our team!
She's also a fan favorite as one fan had a sign asking Margot Manning to marry him last season LOL!
- Number: 10
- Class: Junior
- Position: Setter
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
- High School: St John's School
- Club Team: Houston Skyline
- Height 5'10
- Major: Communication
- 12th Man Bio: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/margot-manning/14734
Margot played high school ball at St. John's School and with Houston Skyline! At St John's she surpassed 400 assists in two different seasons. Her junior year she totaled over 400 assists while also adding 65 aces and 150 kills showing her versatility! She was also a key member for Houston Skyline which has proven to be a nice pipeline for Texas A&M and where Jamie and his staff have familiarity as Associate Head Coach Jen Woods helped create Houston Skyline! After a stellar prep career, Manning was a top 150 recruit in the nation and before her junior year committed to a strong Washington program! She ultimately signed with them as well! But only a few months after Jamie took the job here, she asked out of her letter of intent and chose to sign with the Aggies in February of 2023. Her familiarity with Coach Woods and the other Skyline players on campus as well as being close to home with an opportunity for early playing led her to Texas A&M!
She came to A&M the first summer of the Jamie Morrison era. We struggled at the setter position the year before and only had one on campus Nisa Buzultepe who had played sparingly the year prior. We played a 6-2 system where both setters rotated and saw the court! During her freshman season Manning amassed 452 assists, 149 digs, and 38 aces. Those were impressive numbers as a freshman in Jamie's first season at the helm! She has a 32 assist match against Auburn! It was a lot to ask a freshman to set in college and in a new coaches first year, but she was up to the task! She also led the team in aces!
Entering her sophomore year in 2024, Buzultepe enters the portal and we bring in an experienced setter from LSU in Maddie Waak. Waak won out the starting position as we only ran one setter in a 5-1 system. However, Manning would come in every single game in 2024. Her numbers dropped to give way to Waak, but Manning was extremely vital in our offense thanks to her serving ability. Especially in our first round matchup against Colorado State, the match wasn't a cakewalk, but Manning's presence was felt! She delivered 4 aces and very timely aces, including one that sparked a huge run for us en route to victory!
Her serving ability is very impressive and important to our team! She was phenomenal in the spring and was dominating from the service line! This season we'll have 3 setters on the roster and all are capable of leading this team to a deep post season run! Waak did excellent this pst season, Manning was our best server, and now we add Kirra Musgrove who is a bigger presence at the net! Jamie has a lot of weapons at this position! With our impressive block returning, having Manning serving will be so valuable to our team!
She can spark some comebacks, she can further extend leads! Manning is a vital piece to the puzzle! She can relive Waak, or come in when the offense is in a lull! She's the lone junior on the roster and in 2026 will be the Aggie with the most experience! Can't wait to see her on the court this year! She believed early on in Jamie's vision! She was committed to Washington for about a year and a half and was months away from moving to Seattle. She trusted this staff and believed in the future of Texas A&M Volleyball even before seeing a Jamie Morrison product on the floor! This alone should make us all root for her and proud to have her on our team!
She's also a fan favorite as one fan had a sign asking Margot Manning to marry him last season LOL!
Done with all the juniors!
At this point we have player profiles on our freshman: Addi Applegate, Taryn Morris, Kirra Musgrove, Megan Fitch, Djurdja Stanojevic, and Amare Hernandez. As well as sophomore Kyndal Stowers, and now junior Margot Manning!
Up next we have our huge group of seniors! For the senior class I'll start with the ones who transferred in and finish with the ones who've been on campus the longest! Just last year alone, Maddie Waak, Taylor Humphrey, Emily Hellmuth, and Tatum Thomas all transferred in. The year prior Morgan Perkins transferred in for Jamie's first year! And 3.5 years ago Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Lexi Guinn, Logan Lednicky, and Ava Underwood signed to Texas A&M! What a senior class!!
Up next we have our huge group of seniors! For the senior class I'll start with the ones who transferred in and finish with the ones who've been on campus the longest! Just last year alone, Maddie Waak, Taylor Humphrey, Emily Hellmuth, and Tatum Thomas all transferred in. The year prior Morgan Perkins transferred in for Jamie's first year! And 3.5 years ago Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Lexi Guinn, Logan Lednicky, and Ava Underwood signed to Texas A&M! What a senior class!!
Emily Hellmuth
Hellmuth is from Dallas, Texas and went to Highland Park High School. She had a stellar high school career fulfilled with numerous accolades and honors. She led the Scots to 4 District Champions and they were at one point even ranked 1 in Texas. She had 551 kills in on season for the Scots which is unbelievable, but epitomized her talent and big swing! She was a District MVP, Dallas Morning News Player of the Year, All State Player, and even an AVCA First Team All American. Highly sought after, she committed to Pepperdine prior to her junior year of high school. This was the summer of Covid-19, so recruitment for a lot of these seniors looked different. At the time Pepperdine was a consistent contender in the WCC and a tourney team.
At Pepperdine, Hellmuth was Avery productive player early on. She was the WCC Freshman Player of the Year in 2022 with 305 kills and 17 double digit kill matches as a freshman. Her sophomore year offensive numbers took a dip year 2, but her defensive numbers improved showing her all around game. After two productive seasons at Pepperdine and two playoff appearances, she entered the transferred portal shortly after the season and found her way back home to the Lone Star State. In December 19th of 2023, she announced her decision to sign with Texas A&M.
Only one year into the Jamie Morrison era and a first round exit, Morrison wanted to bring some talented girls to fill the roster. With the graduation of Caroline Meuth and departure of Bianna Muoneke, he went after a hard hitting player with great height in Emily Hellmuth. Hellmuth is known for her powerful and I mean powerful swing. She would come into Aggieland looking for a spot in the starting rotation and she earned it.
It was apparent in game 1, that Hellmuth was going to fit right in. While there was an adjustment, she would go on to find her groove. Her hard hitting balls would be a great asset to our team. It seems off speed or tip ball isn't in her vocabulary lol, only rips! In 2024 she would go on to her best season of her collegiate career. She'd have a career high in kills, digs, and aces. She averaged 3 kills a set with 330 with her season high of 20 coming against Arizona State in round 2 of the NCAA Tournament. She also had 6 double doubles this past season.
Her impact was definitely felt this past season. Instead of solely relying on Lednicky, Hellmuth provided a strong swing on the left side. As the season went on, she was a lot more comfortable playing 6 rotations as well. Her passing improved tremendously. She did have some matches, especially against strong blocks where her powerful swing had trouble getting around the block, however we had many options to get our offense going. Going into 2025, we will have such a balanced attack. We added outside hitter Kyndal Stowers, so our pin hitters will be extraordinary and the competition this summer and going into the season will only make our girls so much better. Having Hellmuth's strong arm to go with Lednicky on the right, and our amazing middle duo. Our offense will be a lot more versatile and experienced.
Hellmuth is going into year 2 here at Texas A&M. She fits in with this team and this university really well. By all accounts she's an even better person than she is a volleyball player. She is outwardly open with her faith and a great role model for the young ladies on our team. You'll never miss her with her bubble ponytail or her pink bows! Her sister Avery also played volleyball for Oklahoma Baptist.
I'm really excited to watch her in year 2 with Texas A&M. Her growth as an all around volleyball player will only expand. This team has some lofty goals and part of that is due to the play of Emily Hellmuth! I'm so glad she has found a home here in Aggieland!
https://instagr.am/p/C95e7P7xukY
- Number: 4
- Class: Senior
- Position: Outside Hitter
- Hometown: Dallas, Texas
- High School: Highland Park High School
- Club Team: Dallas Skyline
- Height: 6'3
- Major: Psychology
- 12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/emily-hellmuth/14728
Hellmuth is from Dallas, Texas and went to Highland Park High School. She had a stellar high school career fulfilled with numerous accolades and honors. She led the Scots to 4 District Champions and they were at one point even ranked 1 in Texas. She had 551 kills in on season for the Scots which is unbelievable, but epitomized her talent and big swing! She was a District MVP, Dallas Morning News Player of the Year, All State Player, and even an AVCA First Team All American. Highly sought after, she committed to Pepperdine prior to her junior year of high school. This was the summer of Covid-19, so recruitment for a lot of these seniors looked different. At the time Pepperdine was a consistent contender in the WCC and a tourney team.
At Pepperdine, Hellmuth was Avery productive player early on. She was the WCC Freshman Player of the Year in 2022 with 305 kills and 17 double digit kill matches as a freshman. Her sophomore year offensive numbers took a dip year 2, but her defensive numbers improved showing her all around game. After two productive seasons at Pepperdine and two playoff appearances, she entered the transferred portal shortly after the season and found her way back home to the Lone Star State. In December 19th of 2023, she announced her decision to sign with Texas A&M.
Only one year into the Jamie Morrison era and a first round exit, Morrison wanted to bring some talented girls to fill the roster. With the graduation of Caroline Meuth and departure of Bianna Muoneke, he went after a hard hitting player with great height in Emily Hellmuth. Hellmuth is known for her powerful and I mean powerful swing. She would come into Aggieland looking for a spot in the starting rotation and she earned it.
It was apparent in game 1, that Hellmuth was going to fit right in. While there was an adjustment, she would go on to find her groove. Her hard hitting balls would be a great asset to our team. It seems off speed or tip ball isn't in her vocabulary lol, only rips! In 2024 she would go on to her best season of her collegiate career. She'd have a career high in kills, digs, and aces. She averaged 3 kills a set with 330 with her season high of 20 coming against Arizona State in round 2 of the NCAA Tournament. She also had 6 double doubles this past season.
Her impact was definitely felt this past season. Instead of solely relying on Lednicky, Hellmuth provided a strong swing on the left side. As the season went on, she was a lot more comfortable playing 6 rotations as well. Her passing improved tremendously. She did have some matches, especially against strong blocks where her powerful swing had trouble getting around the block, however we had many options to get our offense going. Going into 2025, we will have such a balanced attack. We added outside hitter Kyndal Stowers, so our pin hitters will be extraordinary and the competition this summer and going into the season will only make our girls so much better. Having Hellmuth's strong arm to go with Lednicky on the right, and our amazing middle duo. Our offense will be a lot more versatile and experienced.
Hellmuth is going into year 2 here at Texas A&M. She fits in with this team and this university really well. By all accounts she's an even better person than she is a volleyball player. She is outwardly open with her faith and a great role model for the young ladies on our team. You'll never miss her with her bubble ponytail or her pink bows! Her sister Avery also played volleyball for Oklahoma Baptist.
I'm really excited to watch her in year 2 with Texas A&M. Her growth as an all around volleyball player will only expand. This team has some lofty goals and part of that is due to the play of Emily Hellmuth! I'm so glad she has found a home here in Aggieland!
https://instagr.am/p/C95e7P7xukY
Sorry for the delay! But we're back with our Aggie Volleyball Profiles! We are now on our senior class! Like I said I'm starting with the ones who transferred in last year and will end it with our 2022 recruits!
My wife saw Emily at a BCS 4-H event last spring (2024 - after the inter-squad scrimmage) and spoke with her for several minutes about life, volleyball, Pepperdine, Aggie Volleyball, and her roll on the team. She left with a very good impression of the young lady.
That's amazing! I've heard similar things on the type of person she is, so thankful she's an Aggie
She was a joy to watch at Highland Pk. also.
Taylor Humphrey
Prior to her time at Rutgers, Humphrey was a multi year all state volleyball player in Michigan and a familiar name on All American watchlists. She was also a finalist for Miss Michigan Volleyball. She committed to Rutgers late in 2020 and put together two strong seasons in Big Ten play! In her two seasons in Jersey she nearly amassed 500 kills, 291 digs, and 74 blocks. She was a force for Rutgers averaging 2.59 and 2.23 kills per set.
After two seasons she would enter the portal but not commit till the second portal window after the spring semester. May 19th of 2024 she would announce her commitment to play for Jamie Morrison in his second year. After losing multiple hitters, Morrison went into the portal after hitters and hitters with size. He had already signed transfer Emily Hellmuth, now he picked up Taylor Humphrey who was also 6'3.
She won a starting rotation role despite being on campus just a couple months. Her size and hitting ability were noticeable her first matches. We packed the size at the OH position in Morrison's first year so having height like Humphrey was a big boost! She had 9 kills and 12 kills in her first two matches. Her numbers would see a dip in Aggieland as she was on a more well rounded team with an all American in the middle and on the opposite side. She would put together 175 kills, 73 digs, and 32 blocks. She would put up 11 kills in our first round match against Colorado State.
Humphrey brought size to the front net and would often rely on a tip ball which was a change of pace from the hard swinging Hellmuth and Lednicky. I think that change of pace will really be a benefit to us this year. Adding Kyndal Stowers and some talented freshman to the mix, the competition at the outside position will be fierce in summer and fall camp! Having the weapons is only beneficial and will allow Morrison and crew to utilize the best matchups. Humphrey has size and offers an excellent block on the outside. She'll have a whole off season of work with setter Maddie Waak. She came in last summer and had a few months to build chemistry and timing with her last year. That's one notable thing that could help our offense all around this year. Her digging isn't bad at all either. At Rutgers she was even honored as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the week one time.
Humphrey is an animal science major and while she committed last year i stumbled upon a video about her passion for animals. A&M and their animal science program seem like a perfect fit for Humphrey. She is also really into music and got to see Taylor Swift's Eras Tour while rocking some reputation earrings and outfit! So bonus points in my book!! Her dad Dennis was a two sport athlete at Southern Indiana where he was an All American and held the school's home run record for 2 decades!
Here is her discussing her passion for animals and the environment
https://instagr.am/p/DBfheDRRZ6a
- Number: 11
- Class: Senior
- Position: Outside Hitter
- Hometown: Byron Center, Michigan
- High School: Byron Center High School
- Club Team: FaR Out
- Major: Animal Science
- Height: 6'3
- 12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/taylor-humphrey/14107
Prior to her time at Rutgers, Humphrey was a multi year all state volleyball player in Michigan and a familiar name on All American watchlists. She was also a finalist for Miss Michigan Volleyball. She committed to Rutgers late in 2020 and put together two strong seasons in Big Ten play! In her two seasons in Jersey she nearly amassed 500 kills, 291 digs, and 74 blocks. She was a force for Rutgers averaging 2.59 and 2.23 kills per set.
After two seasons she would enter the portal but not commit till the second portal window after the spring semester. May 19th of 2024 she would announce her commitment to play for Jamie Morrison in his second year. After losing multiple hitters, Morrison went into the portal after hitters and hitters with size. He had already signed transfer Emily Hellmuth, now he picked up Taylor Humphrey who was also 6'3.
She won a starting rotation role despite being on campus just a couple months. Her size and hitting ability were noticeable her first matches. We packed the size at the OH position in Morrison's first year so having height like Humphrey was a big boost! She had 9 kills and 12 kills in her first two matches. Her numbers would see a dip in Aggieland as she was on a more well rounded team with an all American in the middle and on the opposite side. She would put together 175 kills, 73 digs, and 32 blocks. She would put up 11 kills in our first round match against Colorado State.
Humphrey brought size to the front net and would often rely on a tip ball which was a change of pace from the hard swinging Hellmuth and Lednicky. I think that change of pace will really be a benefit to us this year. Adding Kyndal Stowers and some talented freshman to the mix, the competition at the outside position will be fierce in summer and fall camp! Having the weapons is only beneficial and will allow Morrison and crew to utilize the best matchups. Humphrey has size and offers an excellent block on the outside. She'll have a whole off season of work with setter Maddie Waak. She came in last summer and had a few months to build chemistry and timing with her last year. That's one notable thing that could help our offense all around this year. Her digging isn't bad at all either. At Rutgers she was even honored as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the week one time.
Humphrey is an animal science major and while she committed last year i stumbled upon a video about her passion for animals. A&M and their animal science program seem like a perfect fit for Humphrey. She is also really into music and got to see Taylor Swift's Eras Tour while rocking some reputation earrings and outfit! So bonus points in my book!! Her dad Dennis was a two sport athlete at Southern Indiana where he was an All American and held the school's home run record for 2 decades!
Here is her discussing her passion for animals and the environment
https://instagr.am/p/DBfheDRRZ6a
5 weeks away, got to get back to posting these and rounding out our roster!!
Tatum Thomas
Thomas hails from Chandler, Arizona and attended Hamilton High School which is one of the premier athletic programs in the Arizona High School ranks. She was an all state player and amassed 1052 career digs and 132 aces. She led Hamilton to back to back state championships as a Libero. She also played for Arizona Storm Elite which is one of the premier volleyball programs in the country and where our 2026 commit Sara Bowcutt currently plays.
In September of 2020 she would commit to Grand Canyon University. A volleyball program on the rise. she would quickly make her mark and earn the Libero jersey as a freshman! She would put up amazing numbers and helped GCU make the tourney in back to back years winning the WAC and a tourney win in 2022. As a freshman she had 362 digs and 391 as a sophomore. She also added 29 and 30 serving aces. She had a career high of 29 digs in one match.
After a solid two years as the Libero at GCU, she would enter the portal and at the end of January of 2024, Thomas announced her commitment to Jamie Morrison and the Texas A&M Aggies! With the departures of Lauren Hogan to graduation and Alayna Pearson to the portal, the Aggies were in desperate need of experienced defensive specialists to go in the back row along with Ava Underwood. Morrison would land Ellee Stinson and Thomas to make a solid trio. The 3 battled all summer and camp and provided a huge improvement to the position in 2024, where it was a weakness in 2023. The competition elevated the room and led to the vast improvement of Ava Underwood.
Thomas would see her numbers drop as she was purely a back row sub and not the Libero. She was a rock every time she hit the floor and even provided some spark behind the service line. She has 3 aces against Colorado State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament while playing in front of a huge crowd of her friends and family near her hometown.
With Ellee Stinson gone, our Libero room consists of Thomas, Underwood, and freshman Addi Applegate. Ava Underwood will presumably return to her role as libero, so we'll see Thomas and Applegate a lot on the floor. Thomas has the experience and a strong serve. Another year playing behind our middles and pins will prove valuable. After a strong showing in the ncaa tournament and another offseason under this program I'm excited to see how Thomas develops this coming season! I'd love to see her serve continue to improve and play an important factor to this team's success.
A cool story is that her dad Norris was a Division 3 All American in Football and Track and Field and fought his way into the NFL signing a contract with the New York Giants. His story is pretty inspirational if you want to check it out. I'll post a link, but it discusses him going from living in a shelter as a kid to persevering to reach his NFL dreams. Now he works as a sports broadcaster. Her brother is also a quarterback at North Carolina A&T. Sports is in their genes!
Dad's story: https://sportsphilanthropynetwork.org/lalr-podcast-s2ep19-norris-thomas-former-nfl-athlete/
https://instagr.am/p/DEVBJEvu-Ir
- Number: 3
- Class: Senior
- Position: Libero
- Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
- High School: Hamilton High School
- Club Team: Arizona Storm Elite
- Major: Business
- Height: 5'6
- 12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/tatum-thomas/14104
Thomas hails from Chandler, Arizona and attended Hamilton High School which is one of the premier athletic programs in the Arizona High School ranks. She was an all state player and amassed 1052 career digs and 132 aces. She led Hamilton to back to back state championships as a Libero. She also played for Arizona Storm Elite which is one of the premier volleyball programs in the country and where our 2026 commit Sara Bowcutt currently plays.
In September of 2020 she would commit to Grand Canyon University. A volleyball program on the rise. she would quickly make her mark and earn the Libero jersey as a freshman! She would put up amazing numbers and helped GCU make the tourney in back to back years winning the WAC and a tourney win in 2022. As a freshman she had 362 digs and 391 as a sophomore. She also added 29 and 30 serving aces. She had a career high of 29 digs in one match.
After a solid two years as the Libero at GCU, she would enter the portal and at the end of January of 2024, Thomas announced her commitment to Jamie Morrison and the Texas A&M Aggies! With the departures of Lauren Hogan to graduation and Alayna Pearson to the portal, the Aggies were in desperate need of experienced defensive specialists to go in the back row along with Ava Underwood. Morrison would land Ellee Stinson and Thomas to make a solid trio. The 3 battled all summer and camp and provided a huge improvement to the position in 2024, where it was a weakness in 2023. The competition elevated the room and led to the vast improvement of Ava Underwood.
Thomas would see her numbers drop as she was purely a back row sub and not the Libero. She was a rock every time she hit the floor and even provided some spark behind the service line. She has 3 aces against Colorado State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament while playing in front of a huge crowd of her friends and family near her hometown.
With Ellee Stinson gone, our Libero room consists of Thomas, Underwood, and freshman Addi Applegate. Ava Underwood will presumably return to her role as libero, so we'll see Thomas and Applegate a lot on the floor. Thomas has the experience and a strong serve. Another year playing behind our middles and pins will prove valuable. After a strong showing in the ncaa tournament and another offseason under this program I'm excited to see how Thomas develops this coming season! I'd love to see her serve continue to improve and play an important factor to this team's success.
A cool story is that her dad Norris was a Division 3 All American in Football and Track and Field and fought his way into the NFL signing a contract with the New York Giants. His story is pretty inspirational if you want to check it out. I'll post a link, but it discusses him going from living in a shelter as a kid to persevering to reach his NFL dreams. Now he works as a sports broadcaster. Her brother is also a quarterback at North Carolina A&T. Sports is in their genes!
Dad's story: https://sportsphilanthropynetwork.org/lalr-podcast-s2ep19-norris-thomas-former-nfl-athlete/
https://instagr.am/p/DEVBJEvu-Ir
Maddie Waak
With only setter returning to the 2024 team in incoming sophomore Margot Manning, Morrison went and got Maddie Waak from a conference for to make the room more competitive and have Waak compete with Manning for the setter duties. Even though Morrison ran a lot of a 6-2 (two setters rotating) offense in his first season with setters Nisa Buzultepe and Manning, Morrison went strictly with a 5-1 offense (one setter) and it was Waak that came in and won the job.
A new setter is always tricky but it helps infinitely when that setter has chemistry and experience with some of the roster. She played with Houston Skyline in club volleyball where she would set Logan Lednicky and Morgan Perkins and have Ava Underwood pass her balls as a libero. Looking back it's amazing how those connections and relationships would come to be here down the road in Aggieland!! What a full circle moment to be able to set for them on the biggest stage a few years later!!
After playing with fellow Aggies and a stellar prep career, she'd take her commitment across the state line and commit to LSU. Before LSU, she was a multi year prep high school All American and multiple time district setter of the year and the number 30 overall recruit in her class. She'd have two solid seasons with her best coming her sophomore year. She took control as a setter and had 801 assists on a LSU team that wasn't very strong overall. She had a 51 assist match with 5 matches over 40 assists. She even had a game with 20 digs. Ironically she grabbed her 1000th collegiate assist against Texas A&M.
However, after a losing season with LSU she'd come back to play closer to home and with many familiar Skyline faces and commit to Texas A&M after the 2023 season and get on campus for the spring 2024 semester to compete for the setter spot with Margot Manning. After the spring and summer, Waak won the job and came out rolling! Early on it looked like she had been playing with our girls for multiple years. She had a great connection with Logan Lednicky and did a fabulous job setting the middles Ifenna Cos-Okpalla and Morgan Perkins.
Waak would go on to post a career high 1,153 assists on the year. She only had 3 matches with less than 30 assists. Her playoff run included 46 assists, a career high 59 assists, and 56 assists in our 3 tournament games. She was awarded SEC setter of the week twice throughout the year. She helped Logan Lednicky earn All American status as well as Ifenna Cos-Okpalla.
This season we did add a freshman setter who was a big time recruit in Kirra Musgrove who brings elite passing and elite size at 6'2. While she may be the future, Waak is one of our leaders and our offense runs through her. Having 3 great setters is an amazing problem to have and we will see all 3 on the court this season. Manning is the best server on our team and Musgrove provides a bigger block at the net defensively when she's setting. But I believe Waak will be our setter and she will lead one of the most potent offenses in the country.
Waak will have Lednicky on her right to set, Stowers, Hellmuth, Humphrey on the outside pin, Cos-Okpalla and Perkins in the middle, as well as many of our pins flying from the back row. This offense will be lethal and Waak will have many weapons at her disposal!! With improved back row play, this offense will be a well oiled machine. Waak will have another year, an entire offseason working with all her weapons and an entire fall and summer with the new freshman and Kyndal Stowers. The chemistry will be through the roof!
A fun fact about her is that her dad was an MLB draft pick and her mom played volleyball at Centenary College of Louisiana. Her little sister Kaitlin just signed to play volleyball at St Mary's in San Antonio. Also shout out to her dad cause he always likes my comments when I hype up A&M volleyball on Instagram lol
https://instagr.am/p/DD5GIN0S81g
- Number: 16
- Class: Senior
- Position: Setter
- Hometown: Katy, Texas
- High School: Katy High School
- Club Team: Houston Skyline
- Height: 5'10
- Major: Political Science
- 12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/maddie-waak/14739
With only setter returning to the 2024 team in incoming sophomore Margot Manning, Morrison went and got Maddie Waak from a conference for to make the room more competitive and have Waak compete with Manning for the setter duties. Even though Morrison ran a lot of a 6-2 (two setters rotating) offense in his first season with setters Nisa Buzultepe and Manning, Morrison went strictly with a 5-1 offense (one setter) and it was Waak that came in and won the job.
A new setter is always tricky but it helps infinitely when that setter has chemistry and experience with some of the roster. She played with Houston Skyline in club volleyball where she would set Logan Lednicky and Morgan Perkins and have Ava Underwood pass her balls as a libero. Looking back it's amazing how those connections and relationships would come to be here down the road in Aggieland!! What a full circle moment to be able to set for them on the biggest stage a few years later!!
After playing with fellow Aggies and a stellar prep career, she'd take her commitment across the state line and commit to LSU. Before LSU, she was a multi year prep high school All American and multiple time district setter of the year and the number 30 overall recruit in her class. She'd have two solid seasons with her best coming her sophomore year. She took control as a setter and had 801 assists on a LSU team that wasn't very strong overall. She had a 51 assist match with 5 matches over 40 assists. She even had a game with 20 digs. Ironically she grabbed her 1000th collegiate assist against Texas A&M.
However, after a losing season with LSU she'd come back to play closer to home and with many familiar Skyline faces and commit to Texas A&M after the 2023 season and get on campus for the spring 2024 semester to compete for the setter spot with Margot Manning. After the spring and summer, Waak won the job and came out rolling! Early on it looked like she had been playing with our girls for multiple years. She had a great connection with Logan Lednicky and did a fabulous job setting the middles Ifenna Cos-Okpalla and Morgan Perkins.
Waak would go on to post a career high 1,153 assists on the year. She only had 3 matches with less than 30 assists. Her playoff run included 46 assists, a career high 59 assists, and 56 assists in our 3 tournament games. She was awarded SEC setter of the week twice throughout the year. She helped Logan Lednicky earn All American status as well as Ifenna Cos-Okpalla.
This season we did add a freshman setter who was a big time recruit in Kirra Musgrove who brings elite passing and elite size at 6'2. While she may be the future, Waak is one of our leaders and our offense runs through her. Having 3 great setters is an amazing problem to have and we will see all 3 on the court this season. Manning is the best server on our team and Musgrove provides a bigger block at the net defensively when she's setting. But I believe Waak will be our setter and she will lead one of the most potent offenses in the country.
Waak will have Lednicky on her right to set, Stowers, Hellmuth, Humphrey on the outside pin, Cos-Okpalla and Perkins in the middle, as well as many of our pins flying from the back row. This offense will be lethal and Waak will have many weapons at her disposal!! With improved back row play, this offense will be a well oiled machine. Waak will have another year, an entire offseason working with all her weapons and an entire fall and summer with the new freshman and Kyndal Stowers. The chemistry will be through the roof!
A fun fact about her is that her dad was an MLB draft pick and her mom played volleyball at Centenary College of Louisiana. Her little sister Kaitlin just signed to play volleyball at St Mary's in San Antonio. Also shout out to her dad cause he always likes my comments when I hype up A&M volleyball on Instagram lol
https://instagr.am/p/DD5GIN0S81g
Everyone meet our quarterback Maddie Waak
Morgan Perkins
While there are 4 girls who committed to a previous staff more than 4 years ago in Logan Lednicky, Ava Underwood, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, and Lexi Guinn, there is another player of the same class who came in a year after them and that is Morgan Perkins. Shortly after Jamie Morrison was hired, the Aggies received news that a middle blocker who spent one year at Oklahoma would transfer in!
As Morrison went to work quickly on his staff, he added former OU coach Lindsay Gray-Walton who recruited and coached Perkins at OU. Morrison also added Jen Woods, an Aggie volleyball alum who founded Houston Skyline, a prominent volleyball prep club, of which Perkins played for, where she was teammates with Underwood, Lednicky, and Waak. A perfect staff with many connections to her and a school right down the road from her hometown of Rosharon, Texas. Texas A&M was the perfect home for Morgan Perkins.
After playing high school volleyball at Episcopal and being part of the Skyline Club, Perkins committed to Oklahoma. She would go on to start every match as a freshman for the Sooners where she would earn 155 kills and 111 total blocks earning 2nd Team All Big 12 and All Big 12 Rookie Team. She would then take her talents to College Station and put her trust in new coach Jamie Morrison as he would try to build a program here at Texas A&M.
Perkins would come to College Station as a sophomore and earn a starting spot. Quickly under the tutelage of Morrison and his staff, Perkins would make her mark in the maroon and white. Perkins showed she was an excellent and talented blocker, but was just as more impressive was her skill set offensively. At the middle position, Perkins displayed a strong quick swing. She has led the Aggies in hitting percentage both seasons, even leading the conference in hitting percentage in league play last season.
Perkins monster junior year can be seen with her career season high 200 kills, 81 more than in 2023. All while hitting over .400. She also added 90 blocks and 19 aces. She was a key part of the offense and her skillset there would open up big swings for the pin hitters.
Perkins and Cos-Okpalla form arguably one of the most dominant middle duos in the country. Maybe only Nebraska, Kentucky, and Louisville may be in the conversation, but I'd take Perkins and Cos-Okpalla over any other middle duo in the entire NCAA.
Perkins was coming off a strong year at OU earning all conference honors. She'd then put her trust into a first year collegiate head coach in Jamie Morrison, into a program starting all over with a young core and a few returners. Although she's been here a year less than a few other Ags on the roster, she's helped built the foundation from year 1. She jumped on the Morrison train and believed in his vision. She's been an integral part of this program and I believe her best year is about to come. I am really excited to see what she does this year. I'm expecting an all conference and all American type of season from Perkins. Opposing teams have to always account for her, she has a lethal swing and brings a strong and quick block.
Keep an eye out for her this season, she'll have some colorful braids in her and a big smile on her face as she's ripping a ball across the net or stuffing someone's shot in their face!
https://instagr.am/p/C9xgoolvicZ
- Number: 21
- Class: Senior
- Position: Middle Blocker
- Hometown: Rosharon, Texas
- High School: Episcopal High School
- Club Team: Houston Skyline
- Height: 6'1
- Major: Psychology
- 12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/morgan-perkins/14735
While there are 4 girls who committed to a previous staff more than 4 years ago in Logan Lednicky, Ava Underwood, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, and Lexi Guinn, there is another player of the same class who came in a year after them and that is Morgan Perkins. Shortly after Jamie Morrison was hired, the Aggies received news that a middle blocker who spent one year at Oklahoma would transfer in!
As Morrison went to work quickly on his staff, he added former OU coach Lindsay Gray-Walton who recruited and coached Perkins at OU. Morrison also added Jen Woods, an Aggie volleyball alum who founded Houston Skyline, a prominent volleyball prep club, of which Perkins played for, where she was teammates with Underwood, Lednicky, and Waak. A perfect staff with many connections to her and a school right down the road from her hometown of Rosharon, Texas. Texas A&M was the perfect home for Morgan Perkins.
After playing high school volleyball at Episcopal and being part of the Skyline Club, Perkins committed to Oklahoma. She would go on to start every match as a freshman for the Sooners where she would earn 155 kills and 111 total blocks earning 2nd Team All Big 12 and All Big 12 Rookie Team. She would then take her talents to College Station and put her trust in new coach Jamie Morrison as he would try to build a program here at Texas A&M.
Perkins would come to College Station as a sophomore and earn a starting spot. Quickly under the tutelage of Morrison and his staff, Perkins would make her mark in the maroon and white. Perkins showed she was an excellent and talented blocker, but was just as more impressive was her skill set offensively. At the middle position, Perkins displayed a strong quick swing. She has led the Aggies in hitting percentage both seasons, even leading the conference in hitting percentage in league play last season.
Perkins monster junior year can be seen with her career season high 200 kills, 81 more than in 2023. All while hitting over .400. She also added 90 blocks and 19 aces. She was a key part of the offense and her skillset there would open up big swings for the pin hitters.
Perkins and Cos-Okpalla form arguably one of the most dominant middle duos in the country. Maybe only Nebraska, Kentucky, and Louisville may be in the conversation, but I'd take Perkins and Cos-Okpalla over any other middle duo in the entire NCAA.
Perkins was coming off a strong year at OU earning all conference honors. She'd then put her trust into a first year collegiate head coach in Jamie Morrison, into a program starting all over with a young core and a few returners. Although she's been here a year less than a few other Ags on the roster, she's helped built the foundation from year 1. She jumped on the Morrison train and believed in his vision. She's been an integral part of this program and I believe her best year is about to come. I am really excited to see what she does this year. I'm expecting an all conference and all American type of season from Perkins. Opposing teams have to always account for her, she has a lethal swing and brings a strong and quick block.
Keep an eye out for her this season, she'll have some colorful braids in her and a big smile on her face as she's ripping a ball across the net or stuffing someone's shot in their face!
https://instagr.am/p/C9xgoolvicZ
I wanted to save these 4 girls for last and I'll get these done this weekend! Logan Lednicky, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Ava Underwood, and Lexi Guinn. I mentioned it, but these 4 all committed to Texas A&M under the previous staff and played one season with them before Jamie Morrison arrived. They stuck through, trusted Jamie and his vision and have and will reap the rewards! I think they deserve praise for doing so! They'll get the last 4 bio spotlights!
Lexi Guinn
Lexi played club volleyball with Dallas Skyline and high school ball at Frisco High School. She was an AVCA All American in 2021 and a multi year all state and all district performer. After an illustrious career she was the 24th ranked recruit in Texas and signed with Texas A&M Volleyball in 2021. She was part of 5 member signing class that included Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Logan Lednicky, Ava Underwood, and Ital Lopuyo.
She came in and played as a freshman for previous coach Bird Kuhn and saw some court time. Her freshman year she totaled 45 kills and 13 blocks including 10 kills in a huge upset over Kentucky. After a coaching change following the 2022 season, Lexi stayed the course and decided she wanted to play for Jamie Morrison in 2023.
Although her playing time would be limited in 2023 as Caroline Meuth and incoming freshman Bianna Muoneke took most of the outside hitter reps. Then in 2024 Morrison brought in Emily Hellmuth and Taylor Humphrey. Her playing time decreased from her freshman season as A&M brought in transfers. But when called upon she has delivered as her powerful vertical is apparent. There is a logjam of outside hitters as this is probably the most talent we've had at the position in a long long time with seniors Humphrey and Hellmuth, incoming transfer Kyndal Stowers, incoming and freshman Megan Fitch. I'm sure we'll see Lexi in throughout the season and her vertical and striking will be apparent.
What I'm most interested in is the story of her battling idiopathic scoliosis as a young teenager. In the article following this, her X-rays are shown and CAUTION if you find injuries unsettling, it's hard to watch. With that injury and the curvature in her spine, her volleyball days could have easily been over and/or she would have required a major surgery to fix the issue. However due to research, her parents got in touch with an Orthopedic Surgeon in Missouri. They were able to do a procedural treatment of vertebral body tethering that would have lessen the degree of curvature on her spine and get her back to regular activity in a short time while allowing a full recovery. She wouldn't be able to play and train for high level volleyball without the procedure. The surgeon who did the procedure was at Texas A&M's match vs Mizzou her freshman year!! What a great story!
https://www.muhealth.org/our-stories/still-swinging-vbt-helps-volleyball-player-pursue-her-dream
So maybe it's the inspiring story or also part of her bubbly personality. You'll catch her woth the biggest smile on the sidelines during her senior season. This last group has been through a lot with their recruitments during covid, the firing of one coach and having to work with a new coach all within a few years. Their loyalty to this school is what separates Aggies from others. Lexi deserves all the love and support from her fellow Ags!
https://instagr.am/p/C-eIxf8vLpW
- Number: 5
- Class: Senior
- Position: Outside Hitter / Middle
- Hometown: Frisco, Texas
- High School: Frisco High School
- Club Team: Dallas Skyline
- Height: 6'0
- Major: Marketing
- 12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/lexi-guinn/14727
Lexi played club volleyball with Dallas Skyline and high school ball at Frisco High School. She was an AVCA All American in 2021 and a multi year all state and all district performer. After an illustrious career she was the 24th ranked recruit in Texas and signed with Texas A&M Volleyball in 2021. She was part of 5 member signing class that included Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Logan Lednicky, Ava Underwood, and Ital Lopuyo.
She came in and played as a freshman for previous coach Bird Kuhn and saw some court time. Her freshman year she totaled 45 kills and 13 blocks including 10 kills in a huge upset over Kentucky. After a coaching change following the 2022 season, Lexi stayed the course and decided she wanted to play for Jamie Morrison in 2023.
Although her playing time would be limited in 2023 as Caroline Meuth and incoming freshman Bianna Muoneke took most of the outside hitter reps. Then in 2024 Morrison brought in Emily Hellmuth and Taylor Humphrey. Her playing time decreased from her freshman season as A&M brought in transfers. But when called upon she has delivered as her powerful vertical is apparent. There is a logjam of outside hitters as this is probably the most talent we've had at the position in a long long time with seniors Humphrey and Hellmuth, incoming transfer Kyndal Stowers, incoming and freshman Megan Fitch. I'm sure we'll see Lexi in throughout the season and her vertical and striking will be apparent.
What I'm most interested in is the story of her battling idiopathic scoliosis as a young teenager. In the article following this, her X-rays are shown and CAUTION if you find injuries unsettling, it's hard to watch. With that injury and the curvature in her spine, her volleyball days could have easily been over and/or she would have required a major surgery to fix the issue. However due to research, her parents got in touch with an Orthopedic Surgeon in Missouri. They were able to do a procedural treatment of vertebral body tethering that would have lessen the degree of curvature on her spine and get her back to regular activity in a short time while allowing a full recovery. She wouldn't be able to play and train for high level volleyball without the procedure. The surgeon who did the procedure was at Texas A&M's match vs Mizzou her freshman year!! What a great story!
https://www.muhealth.org/our-stories/still-swinging-vbt-helps-volleyball-player-pursue-her-dream
So maybe it's the inspiring story or also part of her bubbly personality. You'll catch her woth the biggest smile on the sidelines during her senior season. This last group has been through a lot with their recruitments during covid, the firing of one coach and having to work with a new coach all within a few years. Their loyalty to this school is what separates Aggies from others. Lexi deserves all the love and support from her fellow Ags!
https://instagr.am/p/C-eIxf8vLpW
Only 3 more to go, Ava Underwood, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, and Logan Lednicky
These writeups are great TS13! I learn something new and interesting about each player.
I'm looking forward to what Lexi will bring to the team this season. OHs are stacked but she has always come in swinging hard and earning solid points. She's the underdog so I'm rooting for her for a chance to show her stuff.
The OH group was chaotic under Bird so I don't know if that affected Lexi's mojo but I love the energy she brings when called upon!
I'm looking forward to what Lexi will bring to the team this season. OHs are stacked but she has always come in swinging hard and earning solid points. She's the underdog so I'm rooting for her for a chance to show her stuff.
The OH group was chaotic under Bird so I don't know if that affected Lexi's mojo but I love the energy she brings when called upon!
Featured Stories
See All
Elko's problem-solving progress to be judged this weekend vs. UTSA
by Olin Buchanan
TexAgs is Hiring: Full-Charge Bookkeeper
by Brandon Jones
53:40
19h ago
5.4k
Lednicky puts down 22 as No. 9 A&M claims top-15 showdown in four
by Olivia Rodriguez
21:40
18h ago
5.0k
TexAgs Overtime: Liucci makes a few preseason predictions
by Billy Liucci