Taylorswift13's Game Preview
It's here. It's time. Aggie Volleyball is one day away ladies and gentlemen. Soon, Jamie Morrison and our favorite volleyball team will take the court in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to begin the much anticipated 2025 Aggies Volleyball Season. The excitement has been buzzing, the goals have been dreamed, the off season has came and went, a new standard has been set, and now it's time to put it all on the court.
Year 3 of the Jamie Morrison Era begins Monday August 25th. The most talked about Aggie Volleyball season, the highest rated pre season team, it's here, it's time. Aggie Volleyball is not just some fall sport on campus, it's not some casual women's sport, it's not something to pass the time during football season. This is a new era of Aggie Volleyball. There is a new standard inside Reed Arena and it all starts now.
Seniors Logan Lednicky, a US National Team Member, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, a U23 National Team Member, and 7 more seniors lead the way for this experienced team. A team that was a couple hits away from advancing to the Elite 8 last year. A team looking for vengeance. A team looking for championships. One of, if not, the most veteran and experienced teams in the country. The Aggies return all but 1 contributor from last years team. They also added a former 5 star recruit and an outside hitter who 2 years ago was on her way to potentially fight for national freshman of the year, in Kyndal Stowers. They also added 5 fabulous freshman who made up a top ten recruiting class, one of the highest rated in program history.
While Lednicky and Cos-Okpalla are the familiar names nationally, this team has so much more making it ones of the most well balanced teams in the nation. Leading the way is setter Maddie Waak. The quarterback or the conductor of this offense will set a well balanced attack. She'll have Lednicky to her right side, she'll have outside hitters Stowers, Emily Hellmuth, Taylor Humphrey, and Megan Fitch, she'll have one of the best middle duos in the country with Cos-Okpalla and Morgan Perkins. So many weapons in this offense. Minnesota and everyone else in our way, pick your poison.
Our defense is anchored by Libero Ava Underwood. Another senior whose play has improved tremendously over the last 3 years. The high flying, energetic Underwood will be all over the court along with fellow senior Tatum Thomas. Freshman Addi Applegate will also provide insurance in the back row for the Aggies. In front of them middle blockers Ifenna Cos-Okpalla and Morgan Perkins will slow down hitters as will our pins. An elite defense will help pave the way to a successful season.
Last year wasn't an eventful season. It saw its hiccups midway through, but a resilient finish defined the season and defined the culture for this program. After a monstrous win on the road in Austin, the Aggies suffered a couple losses in conference play before going on a 4 game winning streak to make the NCAA tournament as a 6 seed. They went on to defeat a hot Colorado State team and then defeated a 3 seeded Arizona State at their place. We then advanced to the sweet 16 where we would face volleyball blue blood Wisconsin. After winning the 4th set and forcing a 5th, the Aggies were rolling. They got off to early lead in the 5th set before Wisconsin went on a run.
We were down a point at 14-13 before Wisconsin won it on the last point. Heartbreak. Defeat. Pain. A loss that shattered the hearts of Aggies everywhere. But, it was a sign to the volleyball world that the Fightin' Texas A&M Aggies were close. Close to bursting through that metaphorical door. A door that's home to a few select volleyball blue blood programs, the elites if you will. This sport has been controlled and dominated by a few programs. Texas A&M isn't supposed to be there, nobody wants us there. Well too bad. We're breaking that mother f'n door down this year and we're showing the volleyball world that not only do we belong, but we're here to stay. The foundation has been set, the goals are within reach, it's time.
It all starts with match 1. The Aggies were selected to participate in the AVCA First Serve Showcase. An event where a few of the top programs in the country compete in to showcase the sport a week before the season begins in a neutral site. It's an honor to be invited, but it's also time to show the world what Texas A&M Volleyball is all about.
In the way of that is Minnesota. A historically strong program in the volleyball world. They have made the tournament 24 out of the last 25 years. They have 21 sweet sixteen appearances, 9 elite eights, and 6 final fours. Last year the fell in the second round of the tournament.
They are currently ranked 11th in the nation and will provide a very strong test. They return their number one outside hitter in #22 Julia Hanson who is the powerhouse of their offense. She was also an Honorable Mention All American and All Big 12 first team. Their other outsides are a returner in #3 McKenna Wucherer, but she's returning from injury so her playing time won't be its usual self. They also have #24 Alex Acevedo. At setter they will be going with redshirt freshman #1 Stella Swenson. A talented recruit, but it'll be the first game she ever sets at the college level. They have a strong Libero in #12 Zeynep Palabiyik. She returns after a productive season last year with 471 digs. They only return one of their starting middles in #8 Calissa Minatee. They added a middle from Purdue in #20 Lourdes Meyers. They do have a whole to fill on the right side.
Their coach is also in his 3rd year, as both seasons prior they lost in the second round which is not successful for Minnesota's standards. They're ranked 11 however and are expected to have a better season this year. As they're plugging a new setter, a new right side, and a new middle, Texas A&M will be a strong first test. Minnesota will rely on Hanson really well, so I hope our block can stop them. With Swenson setting, they'll want to play fast. Hanson and Acevedo are their only strong servers coming back, so we'll see if their newcomers can apply pressure from the service line.
Our strength like I mentioned is our versatility and well balanced offense. However, that offense must start with a great first touch and great passing. If we stay in system and can get the ball smoothly to Lednicky or Stowers or to our middles, we are lethal. We must serve hard and efficiently. We were inconsistent with our serve last year, but hopefully these girls have taken the next step. We'll really need that assistance as we will need our littles and serve receive to play well.
The beauty of our team is the versatility. However, we're a lot stronger when multiple players are firing and hitting efficiently. This will be a great test and I'm excited to see where we stand and how we look against a top team. With the match being in South Dakota, I'm the crowd will favor the Gophers. With our experience and our firepower, I want to start off hot. Put the pressure on them and show them who we are.
It's time folks. The 2025 Aggies Volleyball season is finally here. If we plan to have the season we want, it all begins now. A win here can be the start of something special! Let's do this and let's BTHO minnesota!!!
