HOUSTON – The Texas A&M volleyball team closed out its spring competition slate by winning four of five sets Saturday at the seventh annual F.A.S.T. Collegiate Invitational at the F.A.S.T. Complex.
The Aggies opened against UT Arlington, and with Kiara McGee and Hollann Hans starting at the outside hitter position, Kiana Peroff at opposite hitter, Ellianna Shadricks at middle blocker, Haley Slocum at setter and Amy Nettles at libero, the Aggies would lead the entire first frame from start to finish after opening the match with a 4-0 run.
The Aggies went on to hold a 19-13 lead when Nettles set up Hans for a kill that began a 4-0 run that gave A&M its largest lead, 23-13. The teams then traded points before a block by Shadricks and Peroff closed out the 25-15 victory.
The Aggies built a 10-4 lead in the second set courtesy of numerous miscues by the Mavericks. UTA, however, finally got in sync and fought back to take a 14-12 advantage. The Mavericks continued to lead at 15-13 before the Maroon and White scored six unanswered points to regain the lead, 19-15.
The Aggies went on to build their largest lead at 24-18 following a block by Shadricks and Montse Castro that put A&M at set point. UTA fought off three set points before serving into the net to end the frame.
The teams played a third set to 15 points, win by two. The Mavericks held a 5-4 edge before McGee spearheaded a 4-0 run, getting two kills and a solo block that propelled A&M to an 8-5 lead. The Mavericks later countered with a 5-0 run to go up 14-12 and serving for the set. Hans kept the set going with a kill through the UTA block, and the Aggies fought off another set point as Peroff followed with a kill from the right side to knot the score at 14-all. A UTA attack error put the Aggies at set point, but the Mavericks connected on a kill on the ensuing play to tie the score once again. A UTA ball handling error put A&M at set point for the second time. Defensive specialist Amy Houser then came through with a diving save that led to a McGee kill that closed out the 17-15 comeback win.
Following an approximate hour break, Texas A&M returned to the court to face Stephen F. Austin in the Aggies' final match of the day. Because the tournament was running behind schedule, only two sets were to be played regardless of the outcome.
The Aggies held their largest lead of the opening set at 10-6, but SFA fought back and took its first lead at 14-13. With the Ladyjacks leading, 15-13, A&M retook the lead following a SFA service error, a block by McGee and Shadricks and a kill by McGee. It would be the last lead of the set for the Aggies, as UTA responded by outscoring A&M 6-1 to take a 21-17 lead. The Aggies later got within two points, 23-21, following a Hans kill off the block and a solo block by McGee, but A&M was unable to overcome the deficit and the Ladyjacks went on to win, 25-22.
SFA scored the first point of the second set, but A&M would counter with five consecutive points and would hold the lead for the remainder of the frame. The Ladyjacks got within 17-15 before an SFA service error and back-to-back kills by Hans gave the Aggies a 20-15 lead. The teams began to exchange points and the Aggies held a 22-18 lead when SFA had a service error and an attack error to put A&M at set point. Gabby Litwin then served an ace to close out the set.
Although the Aggies have no more competitions scheduled for the spring, they will continue to have team training until later this month.
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.
Results:
Texas A&M def. UTA, 25-15, 25-21, 17-15
Texas A&M vs. SFA, 22-25, 25-18
Texas A&M post-match quotes:
Assistant Coach Trevor Johnson:
On the UTA match…
"The first match was a really good serving match for us. We kept UT Arlington out of system a lot. We've been working on serving a lot this week in practice, so credit to our girls for going back there and serving really tough balls. That was by far Kiara McGee's best match of the spring, so things are looking up for her, and we are excited about the growth of her. And Hollann Hans did an awesome job with her serve, plus she blocked a lot of balls that first match.
On the SFA match…
"The second match against SFA, we didn't start out very strong and kind of let them play with us a little too much. That's what happens when you let teams into the game, they turn around and steal one from you. Credit SFA; they played great that first set. We made some adjustments on our end, and it was a great day for us.
On any differences/improvements he saw since the Rice Tournament a week ago…
"It is an attitude change. The loss to Rice really stung us. The team worked really hard this week, determined to not let that happen again. Practice has been really good this week."
On getting all available players some court time today…
"It was awesome. It was great to see Montse (Castro) get in there and play. Amanda (Heller) was doing great, and Gabby (Litwin) did a good job at libero. We have an all-around good bunch of girls, and it is fun to be a part of."
The Aggies opened against UT Arlington, and with Kiara McGee and Hollann Hans starting at the outside hitter position, Kiana Peroff at opposite hitter, Ellianna Shadricks at middle blocker, Haley Slocum at setter and Amy Nettles at libero, the Aggies would lead the entire first frame from start to finish after opening the match with a 4-0 run.
The Aggies went on to hold a 19-13 lead when Nettles set up Hans for a kill that began a 4-0 run that gave A&M its largest lead, 23-13. The teams then traded points before a block by Shadricks and Peroff closed out the 25-15 victory.
The Aggies built a 10-4 lead in the second set courtesy of numerous miscues by the Mavericks. UTA, however, finally got in sync and fought back to take a 14-12 advantage. The Mavericks continued to lead at 15-13 before the Maroon and White scored six unanswered points to regain the lead, 19-15.
The Aggies went on to build their largest lead at 24-18 following a block by Shadricks and Montse Castro that put A&M at set point. UTA fought off three set points before serving into the net to end the frame.
The teams played a third set to 15 points, win by two. The Mavericks held a 5-4 edge before McGee spearheaded a 4-0 run, getting two kills and a solo block that propelled A&M to an 8-5 lead. The Mavericks later countered with a 5-0 run to go up 14-12 and serving for the set. Hans kept the set going with a kill through the UTA block, and the Aggies fought off another set point as Peroff followed with a kill from the right side to knot the score at 14-all. A UTA attack error put the Aggies at set point, but the Mavericks connected on a kill on the ensuing play to tie the score once again. A UTA ball handling error put A&M at set point for the second time. Defensive specialist Amy Houser then came through with a diving save that led to a McGee kill that closed out the 17-15 comeback win.
Following an approximate hour break, Texas A&M returned to the court to face Stephen F. Austin in the Aggies' final match of the day. Because the tournament was running behind schedule, only two sets were to be played regardless of the outcome.
The Aggies held their largest lead of the opening set at 10-6, but SFA fought back and took its first lead at 14-13. With the Ladyjacks leading, 15-13, A&M retook the lead following a SFA service error, a block by McGee and Shadricks and a kill by McGee. It would be the last lead of the set for the Aggies, as UTA responded by outscoring A&M 6-1 to take a 21-17 lead. The Aggies later got within two points, 23-21, following a Hans kill off the block and a solo block by McGee, but A&M was unable to overcome the deficit and the Ladyjacks went on to win, 25-22.
SFA scored the first point of the second set, but A&M would counter with five consecutive points and would hold the lead for the remainder of the frame. The Ladyjacks got within 17-15 before an SFA service error and back-to-back kills by Hans gave the Aggies a 20-15 lead. The teams began to exchange points and the Aggies held a 22-18 lead when SFA had a service error and an attack error to put A&M at set point. Gabby Litwin then served an ace to close out the set.
Although the Aggies have no more competitions scheduled for the spring, they will continue to have team training until later this month.
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.
Results:
Texas A&M def. UTA, 25-15, 25-21, 17-15
Texas A&M vs. SFA, 22-25, 25-18
Texas A&M post-match quotes:
Assistant Coach Trevor Johnson:
On the UTA match…
"The first match was a really good serving match for us. We kept UT Arlington out of system a lot. We've been working on serving a lot this week in practice, so credit to our girls for going back there and serving really tough balls. That was by far Kiara McGee's best match of the spring, so things are looking up for her, and we are excited about the growth of her. And Hollann Hans did an awesome job with her serve, plus she blocked a lot of balls that first match.
On the SFA match…
"The second match against SFA, we didn't start out very strong and kind of let them play with us a little too much. That's what happens when you let teams into the game, they turn around and steal one from you. Credit SFA; they played great that first set. We made some adjustments on our end, and it was a great day for us.
On any differences/improvements he saw since the Rice Tournament a week ago…
"It is an attitude change. The loss to Rice really stung us. The team worked really hard this week, determined to not let that happen again. Practice has been really good this week."
On getting all available players some court time today…
"It was awesome. It was great to see Montse (Castro) get in there and play. Amanda (Heller) was doing great, and Gabby (Litwin) did a good job at libero. We have an all-around good bunch of girls, and it is fun to be a part of."