Appreciate it

Ava Underwood

• Number: 12
• Class: Senior
• Position: Libero
• Hometown: Fulshear, Texas
• High School: Fulshear High School
• Club Team: Houston Skyline
• Major: Marketing
• 12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/ava-underwood/14738

Now it's time you meet our Libero, our 12th Man (12th woman), one of our leaders Ava Underwood! She wears 12 and represents it well and she wears the Libero jersey for our fightin Texas Aggies!

For those that don't know, a Libero in volleyball is a player that's only designated to play in the back row. The Libero is usually your best player in service receive and receive in general as well a great passer with the ball. They're typically shorter and always flying around the court. We have 3 players designated to play the Libero position, Ava Underwood, Tatum Thomas, and Addi Applegate. Last year Ava Underwood played most of the year and finished the year at this position. In 2023 she split time with Lauren Hogan. This year, while Thomas and Applegate are extremely talented, Underwood should be the libero every match and she will do an exceptional job leading the team from that position.

Like many others on this roster, Ava Underwood played her club ball with Houston Skyline where she was teammates with Maddie Waak, Morgan Perkins, and Logan Lednicky. Aside from the chemistry they built and have grown over all these years, Ava has been a libero who ups her passes to Waak at the setter position. So for a long time Underwood and Waak have had a connection on the court. Their feel for each other and feel one another's tendencies and favorite spots has to be instrumental to a great relationship. Most of our touches are first touched by Ava then to Maddie so that connection is vital.

As a third generation Aggie, Ava Underwood dreamed of playing for Texas A&M and Bird Kuhn gave her the offer. I don't think she could even picture herself in another uniform. She put together a great high school career as a Libero for Fulshear. She was an AVCA All American and even won the Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year over a stacked Houston area volleyball group! Which makes her recruiting ranking a little puzzling. Nonetheless she would take her defensive talents to Texas A&M!

Her freshman year she was competing for the libero spot with 3 other liberos: Lauren Hogan, Brooke Frazier, and Allison Fields. The libero jersey would switch with all but Fields starting a match, however Hogan controlled the spot most of the year. Ava would still see lots of court time starting 17 matches. She would go on to record 268 digs and 62 assists which was a solid season for the freshman. Next year it would be another battle with her and Lauren Hogan for the libero spot. Her numbers would take a slight dip due to less matches played in 2023 under Morrison's first year. Back row play would be a major problem for Morrison's first year. That is why after the season he went and grabbed two experienced liberos out of the portal, Ellee Stinson of Northwestern and Tatum Thomas of Grand Canyon.

This competition throughout the spring and summer and even into nonconference matchups, really elevated the libero room and brought out the best in all. A weak point of our team the past few years looked noticeably stronger. Ava was playing so much more better. Her first touch was significantly improved. She won the libero jersey outright this past season and how fitting the player wearing 12 gets to be singled out in a different jersey!

In 2024 she would lead the team with 356 digs, 3.24 per set. She also added a career high 92 assists, often adding a nice touch when we were forced out of system. Both were career highs. If Texas A&M is going to have the season we're all hoping for, a lot of it starts with the play from our "littles!!!" Great first touches allowing Maddie Waak to get us into an offense and not many teams will be able to stop us. Can't wait to see a lot "Dig by Underwood, ball up to Waak, who sets it to Lednicky, WHO GETS THE KILL FOR THE AGGIES!!!!"

I expect another monster season from Underwood. Her passion for the game and for this school are evident when she steps on the court. She is a great representative for this program. Going into year 4 she's helped build this foundation for what Aggie Volleyball is set to become. She's an Aggie through and through and it's been amazing watching her these past 3 years. Can't wait to watch her fly all over the court in year 4 and lead this team to a great season! Gig'em Ava!

https://instagr.am/p/C-OToYBReNG

Ifenna Cos-Okpalla

Number: 1
Class: Senior
Position: Middle Blocker
Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
High School: Flower Mound Marcus
Club Team: MadFrog
Major: Psychology
Height: 6'1
12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/ifenna-cosokpalla/14726

Only two athletes to go, both are All Conference, both are All Americans, both have represented team USA. She doesn't need an introduction, but Aggieland let me introduce you to not one of the, but the best middle blocker in the NCAA, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla.

What a story and what a ride it's been for Ifenna Cos-Okpalla. Most collegiate volleyball players have had a ball in their hands since they could walk and have played club ball since they could run. Ifenna didn't pick up a volleyball till she was about 13 or 14 and joined a local league at her YMCA. It was then she was encouraged to try club volleyball where she started off on a B team. As her game developed she would get better and better and then college became a reality. She would be a member of a USA Junior National Championship Team with MadFrog and become a high school All American in 2021. She would eventually call Texas A&M home and came in as the highest ranked recruit in our 2022 class.

However in her freshman season she hardly saw the court for Coach Bird Kuhn as her court time and opportunities were very inconsistent. In her limited action however, she did provide a great block and the talent was there. She was playing behind Madison Bowser and Molly Brown.

What really draws me into Ifenna's career and story was when I heard her talk about how that freshman season took a toll on her mental health. She stated that she struggled with the previous staff and it slowly killed her confidence and self esteem. and that's hard to hear if you've ever seen her play because there's not a more confident and poised player in the country than Ifenna on the court. It got to a point that towards the end of the 2022 season, she contemplated quitting the sport all together. She says that an entirely new coaching staff (Morrison) coming in was a sign to give the sport another try and Morrison wanted her to keep playing. And thank the Heavens she didn't give up this sport because she's been my favorite player the past 2 years and I'm certain she's been a role model and pleasure to watch for thousands and thousands at home.

All that being said, Ifenna continued with the sport and her passion and love for the game was evident on the court in 2023 and 2024. Her sophomore year she led the nation in blocks per set, set a career high of 151 blocks and 134 kills. She set a 3 set match record with 14 blocks in a single match and had 12 kills in a huge upset win over then number 4 Florida. She would lead the nation in blocks per set.

With her confidence glowing, she'd come back even stronger in 2024. This past season she recorded 161 and a HUGE career high of 228 kills. She'd have 3 matches with double digit blocks, was a 3 time SEC defensive player of the week, was first team all conference, first team all region, an all American to some publications, would go on to earn a spot on the U23 Pan American Cup National Team. Additionally, she is also on the AVCA Preseason National Player of the Year List as well as a first team preseason all sec first team member.

Accolades aside, I'm just happy she stuck with the sport. She is amazing on the court and brings so much to this program and the sport than some monster blocks or a big swing. On the court she plays with such a swagger and confidence that's palpable. She has the most fierce stare down after a block than rallies our team and sends and fears doubt into the opponents. But behind all that confident and silent but deadly composure, you'll see a huge smile after wins and after some points that reminds you there's so much that goes into this game for our players.

Ifenna Cos-Okpalla is about to have a monster season. Each year has been better than the last and every single one of our opponents and opposing coaching staffs should have trouble sleeping at night preparing for Ifenna and our other middle Morgan Perkins.
The growth from her freshman year to now is inspiring, she is glowing on the court with her confidence (and her blush lol). She has such a bright future in this sport. Our success this season will be in large part due to her and everything she is capable of. I can't wait to see what 2024 looks like for Ifenna Cos-Okpalla.

https://instagr.am/p/DDNeqMDzvKf

And this is what I mean by a silent but deadly swagger https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDTJMI7vuqz/?igsh=MXY1eGxhN2dncWt0bQ==

Logan Lednicky

Number: 9
Class: Senior
Position: Opposite Hitter
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
High School: Richmond George Ranch High School
Club Team: Houston Skyline
Height: 6'3
Major: Kinesiology
12th Man Profile: https://12thman.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/logan-lednicky/10903


Logan Lednicky.

That's it, what else is there to say.

Every Texas A&M student, every Texas A&M Alumni, every Aggie fan, and every volleyball fan should know the name Logan Lednicky. Most of us know the accolades, the stats, the high powered swing. She's earned all the hype and praise one can get. So many accomplishments and accolades have been put together over a 3 year span. All Conference, All Region, All American, National Team… with one season to go, I'm sure there's only one more thing Lednicky wants besides her name and that's championships.

It's a story told at almost every volleyball game anytime she steps on the court. Logan is a 4th generation Aggie. Her dad even played on the football team and his name is even Kyle. She's had number OU's family members attend, she's been to football games since she could walk, she grew up in the maroon and white. They under went the recruiting process as objectively as possible, but as Selena Gomez said "the heart wants what it wants." It had been her dream and goal to one day play volleyball at the school she grew up loving and she made it possible.

She began club volleyball at the age of 12 and found her way to Houston Skyline where she would play with fellow Ags Ava Underwood, Maddie Waak, and Morgan Perkins. She had a stellar prep career with Skyline and at George Ranch High School, she was an AVCA All American her senior year, she was a 4 time all district selection, an all state athlete, and numerous Houston first team awards and other All American Accolades. She was a top ten recruit in the state of Texas, slotted at number 9. She'd commit to Texas A&M a few weeks after the official offers went out, a dream come true!

Early on as a freshman, her talent was already showing and her potential was through the roof. Match 1 against a solid Hawaii team she had 20 kills! In her first match as a freshman! Throughout her freshman campaign she was often called upon to carry the load for the Aggies. She led the team in kills per set at 4.03! She totaled 387 kills, 213 digs, and 77 blocks. Unfortunately her season was cut short a few games before the conclusion due to injury, else she'd have even stronger numbers. All this on a struggling Texas A&M team as well. She was still able to garner all conference honors as well.

Her sophomore year would be year 1 under Jamie Morrison and with that came a more well rounded Texas A&M team. So as her total numbers took a dip, her efficiency and all around play was much much better. Her freshman year she played all 6 rotations and her sophomore year she was able to take some breaks and rotate out. A&M also had two new weapons in Morgan Perkins and Ifenna Cos-Okpalla to burden the load on Lednicky. Her big swing and ability to take over matches led Texas A&M to the NCAA Tournament in Morrison's first year and she was recognized once again for all conference and all region honors.

Her junior year is where her game would be taken to an even higher level. With a new setter in Maddie Waak, better libero play, and with even more weapons to account for; opposing teams had a lot more to game plan for than Lednicky's monster left arm! Somehow all her numbers were career highs, a lot of that was due to Texas A&M winning a lot more and scoring more as well as better offensive touches and sets! Her junior year she would have a career high 492 kills, 223 digs, and 105 blocks! What a stat line!

Her stellar play was evident, you could hear her left hand hitting the ball all the way from Northgate, and the entire country would come to know who Logan Lednicky is. In our 3 playoff matches she would record 23, 27, and 23 kills! Including hitting .500 in the second round win over Arizona State. She would once again earn all conference and all region honors, and now she would add All American honors to her resume. She was known as one of the best opposite hitters in the country, in fact one of the best players period.

Awards and notices came rolling in all off season, but the biggest one would come when it was announced that she made the US National Team Training Roster. Not U23, not U21, THE NATIONAL TEAM. She made their 30 person training roster and would spend May and June training at the Olympic Center in volleyball with the best pros in the country. She was only one of two college players selected. Reports out of this camp were that Logan's arm was as advertised! She'd impress the national team coaches and earn a spot for Week 1 of the Volleyball Nation's League representing the United States.

Much to many "non Aggie volleyball fans" dismay, Lednicky would even earn a starting nod game 1 against Italy the number 1 team in the country. On a global stage, she was thrown into the fire and asked to hit around an Italian team that had just won the Paris Olympics. She's go on to have 8 kills and a block. During the 2024 season, the nation learned who Logan Lednicky was, this summer the world would learn who she was. She kept playing strong throughout the summer and would have to rotate playing in matches vs not through the other matches. The experience must have been invaluable, and I'm sure she's bringing back a wealth of knowledge and skills back to Reed Arena. But what I think is the most important thing she gained from this experience has to be confidence. From having to block some of the best spikers in the world to now going back to the college game, I'm sure it'll feel much much slower! Her elevated play will push this team every day in practice and to some big wins come fall.

One thing about Logan is how each year she's been improving her all around game. She's not just the huge swinging lefty she was 4 years ago. She can play all over the court and I'm certain she gives opposing coaches nightmares. Her talent is through the roof, her swing is other worldly, but what separates her from any other star is her passion and heart. When she steps on the court you know she will give it her all. The Aggie blood within her runs deep.

In a world of NIL and transfer portal madness, college decisions to most are merely transactional or temporary. Aggieland means something to Logan Lednicky and she wears the maroon and white with honor. She's going to be playing volleyball well after she walks across the stage to graduate from Texas A&M. I'm urging you to plan that trip, buy those tickets, and come watch Logan Lednicky once or as many times as you possibly can. 6 months from now she'll be a pro, in 3 years she'll be an Olympian. But for only 5 more months, is the only time you'll get to see her in the maroon and white.

If this team is going to do something legendary, a lot of it will be because of Logan Lednicky. Support her and the rest of these girls because this year will be special I can guarantee it! Like I said earlier, I'm sure this year will be filled with many more individual accolades and honors, but I know what she wants most is to hold up some trophies under confetti! I can't wait to see all she does this season and when all else fails I hope Morrison calls my favorite play "just set it to Lednicky"

https://www.12thmanfoundation.com/donor-impact/stories/lednicky-legacy/index.html

https://instagr.am/p/DBR5vdhx6Hb

TS13, thanks for taking the time to do the outstanding profiles, we appreciate it a LOT.

I think Lednicky will go down in history as one of the best recruits in Aggie history whilst Waak one of the best transfers. It is really cool that these two 'historical' players are on the team at the same time.

Maroon & White scrimmage less than three weeks away. I hope to hear some reports from those who are able to attend the match.

Thanks Swiftie. Looking forward to the season!

Thank you so very much, TSwift

Hey staff! Can we pin this post so taylorswift13_'s hard work is readily available for us to revisit as we get ready for the season?