Sullivan, from Richardson, Texas, led Texas A&M with 4.11 points and 3.11 kills per set while hitting .451 over the two matches. She also averaged 1.44 blocks per set as the Aggies improved to 7-1 for the season.
Aiple averaged 11.00 assists per set for the tournament, directing a balanced A&M offense that outhit its opponents, 312 to .219. The Round Rock, Texas, native also averaged 1.33 kills while hitting .476, and she led A&M with 0.33 aces per set.
Against the Women of Troy, Sullivan posted season highs with 15 kills, a .462 hitting percentage and 19.0 points as the Aggies stunned host USC in its home opener. Aiple dished out a career-high 56 assists against USC, leading the Aggies to a .319 to .233 hitting advantage. She also added four kills, hit .429, scooped up eight digs and teamed for two blocks.
With the win against USC, Texas A&M became only the second non-Pacific 12 Conference team to ever defeat the Trojans at Galen Center. It also marked A&M's highest ranked road win since defeating No. 3 Hawaii in Honolulu in the 1999 NCAA regional semifinals.
Against San Diego, Sullivan tied her career-high with seven blocks, and she also tied for team-high honors with 13 kills while hitting at a .440 clip. Aiple had 43 assists as A&M outhit the Toreros, .304 to .203. She also tallied a career-high eight kills while hitting .500 and recorded eight digs.
The Aggies tied Southeastern Conference foe and 10th-ranked Florida with a 2-0 tournament record. USC and USD both finished 0-2.
The complete all-tournament team is listed below:
Rhamat Alhassan – Florida
Alex Holston – Florida
Shelby Sullivan – Texas A&M
Stephanie Aiple – Texas A&M
Alaysia Brown – San Diego
Samantha Bricio – USC
The Aggies return home to Reed Arena for a two-match series against No. 7 Florida State on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20. The Friday match begins at 6 p.m., and it will be “Social Media Night.” Like or follow Aggie Volleyball on social media to receive a limited edition T-shirt while supplies last. The Saturday match begins at 11 a.m.
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Aggie fans also can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook and on Twitter by following @AggieVolleyball.