Jamie Morrison shares takeaways from A&M's top-15 win over Minnesota

Key notes from Jamie Morrison interview

• The win vs. Minnesota is a really nice building block. There are things we can do better, but also a lot of positive things. We are in a new phase. We had a good game plan. We are going to watch film and refine, and prepare for the next game. I think we are doing a really good job of that. I was the most proud of the first set. We could have a little nerves, and whoever figures it out fastest is going to win the first set. We were down by two or three in that, and then we turned it up. Then, we popped out and won.
   
• Logan Lednicky played well. Twenty-two points in four sets is hard to do. We are going back and watching the video and finding more to improve. She had such a great night, but I also think we had a good balance. When Ifenna Cos-Okpalla gets a certain look in her eyes for the block, she goes up for it. Her teammates feed off her energy.
   
• Folks will know Kyndall Stowers' name. There’s a bit of easing her into it. We want the body piece of things to be taken care of for the season. You are going to hear her name a lot, and she’s a special athlete and human being, and you can say that about all of our players.
   
• We have amazing chemistry as a team. We are joking around about rushing home from our game against Utah so we can get back to the football game. Their banter is a really fun group to be around. I am proud that it shows through the TV screen.
   
• We will be at Rice this weekend. My goal is for people to see us in different pockets. I was trying to get one more home game. Looking at the AVCA top 10, I asked all nine teams to come play us, but they said, “No.” I wish we had a tougher schedule.
   
• With this road stretch, it is a great opportunity to go to places that have a lot of Ags. We're down in Houston this weekend. Against Rice, I’d love to have a lot of maroon in that crowd. September 9 and 10, we play SMU and TCU. I think the SMU match is nearly sold out. Our sport is growing. I can’t wait to see how our attendance does this year. This Friday, 6 p.m. against Rice, and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Then, we are heading up to Dallas in a couple of weeks.
   
• It was just excitement. Those opportunities are awesome. To go out and prove yourself against one of the best teams in the country. You don’t get to get that very often. We were playing really good. Still some things to iron out. That was just the first game of the season. We have set the goal to make it very far in the tournament this year.
   
• We can’t make as many unforced errors like we did in the second set. There are things that will affect Rice, but also past that... There are things we need to do tomorrow, but also things to sprinkle into the games that are really important. That is what practice has to be about. A constant refining cycle. I think when you have a mission and vision, and you live in alignment with that. Being pushed has to happen. Our team understands that now. No one is ever comfortable with getting changes and fixes made, but it’s like, “He is doing this because he cares about us getting ahead in the tournament.” It just becomes a piece of culture for teams.
   
• I love this time of year. I love the development piece as well. I don’t think there is anything quite like standing on the sideline. I always wondered what it felt like playing on Kyle Field. Like in the game against Texas, I get chills thinking about that moment. The cheers in front of the 12th Man.