The 2023 Texas A&M volleyball team begins their 2023 campaign Friday, August 25 at the Omaha Invitational in Omaha, Nebraska.
The 2023 Texas A&M volleyball team begins their 2023 campaign Friday, August 25 at the Omaha Invitational in Omaha, Nebraska.Â
The squad prepared for the upcoming season with a Maroon & White scrimmage as well as an exhibition match versus No. 15 Baylor.
First-year head coach Jamie Morrison brings a wide range of experience to Texas A&M. Morrison developed his coaching status at USC, Concordia and Texas, where he helped lead all three squads to Final Four appearances. Coaching at the highest level, Morrison served on the staffs of three Olympic medal-winning USA teams, including a gold with the men in 2008 and silver (2012) and bronze (2016) with the women. Recently, he added another medal to his trophy case, leading the U.S. U19 Women’s National Team to the 2023 FIVB World Championship title.
Morrison enlisted Jen Woods and Lindsey Walton to serve as associate head coaches. Both bring a variety of high-level volleyball experience. He also added Jeff Fiorenza as an assistant coach while retaining director of analytics Evan Antal.Â
Bianna Muoneke, Alayna Pearson and Margot Manning join the Aggies as a top recruiting class. Muoneke garnered multiple AVCA honors including All-America First Team, Best & Brightest First Team and All-Region. She was also named to Prep Volleyball and Max Preps' All-America First Teams. Pearson appeared on Prep Volleyball’s top 150 list in her last three seasons. Manning accumulated three AVCA All-Region honors and was named to Prep Volleyball’s top 150 recruit list.
The Maroon & White gained two players from the transfer portal – Brooke Jeffery (Sacred Heart) and Morgan Perkins (Oklahoma). Jeffery appeared in all 31 matches as a freshman, earning NEC Rookie of the Week three times while at SHU. Perkins was named to the 2022 All-Big 12 Second Team and 2022 Big 12 All-Rookie Team in her first collegiate season with the Sooners. The transfer duo received AVCA All-Region honors in high school.
The Aggies welcome back experienced returners to their 2023 roster. Standout Logan Lednicky registered 387 kills, 213 digs and 77 blocks in 25 games. Lednicky was named SEC All-Freshman, All-SEC and All-South Region in 2022. She was also tapped to the 2023 Preseason All-SEC Team. Graduate senior Caroline Meuth logged playing time in all 29 matches. She led the team in total kills and total points, finishing her senior season with 508.5 points, 439 kills, 207 digs, 60 blocks, 36 service aces and 34 assists. Meuth was also named to the 2022 All-SEC Team and All-South Region Team. The offensive duo were responsible for 58 percent of the total kills the Aggies put down.Â
Two sophomores also return for the Maroon & White. Ifenna Cos-Okpalla appeared in 14 matches, totaling 54 total blocks, 31 kills and 61 points, including a career-high 10 total blocks versus Tennessee Tech. In addition to her 10-kill effort in an upset win over No. 16 Kentucky, Lexi Guinn tallied 51.5 points, 45 kills, and 13 total blocks in 16 matches for the Aggies.Â
Defensive studs, sophomore Ava Underwood and senior Lauren Hogan, are welcomed back to protect the court. Underwood recorded 268 digs, 62 assists, and 20 service aces in 29 matches. Underwood finished third in the SEC among freshmen in total digs and digs per set (2.50). Hogan played in all 29 matches, contributing 311 digs, 77 assists and 12 service aces. The Syracuse transfer led the team in total digs and digs per set (3.11).
Redshirt junior Molly Brown returns for her second year at A&M after recording 111.5 points, 92 blocks and 61 kills in 26 matches as a middle blocker. Brown holds the program record for most solo blocks (4) in a four-set match. Junior setter Nisa Buzlutepe appeared in seven matches including a career-high 35-assist match at Auburn. The native of Istanbul, Turkey, finished with 90 assists after overcoming an injury.
Redshirt freshman Ital Lopuyo rejoins the roster to compete in her first season with the Aggies.
The Aggies head to Nebraska to open the campaign at the Omaha Invitational from August 25-26. The Maroon & White face off against the host Mavericks, followed by Pepperdine the next day.Â
Staying on the road, the Aggies match up against Wright State, host Bowling Green, and Loyola Chicago in Ohio for the Hampton Inn Invitational from August 31- September 2.Â
The Maroon & White host the Texas A&M Invitational from September 7-9. Utah State, Northern Iowa and TCU travel to Reed Arena to challenge the Aggies.Â
Texas A&M hosts No. 19 Houston (Sept. 13) and Liberty (Sept. 15) to round out non-conference play in final preparations for the SEC slate, commencing with a home match against Mississippi State on September 20.
Texas A&M hits the road to No. 25 Arkansas (Sept. 24) and No. 11 Florida (Sept. 27) before hosting Missouri at Reed on October 1. The Maroon & White’s road conference slate continues with stops at Ole Miss (Oct. 6), Mississippi State (Oct. 8) and LSU (Oct.13). The Aggies balance their schedule with three homes matches versus South Carolina (Oct. 15), No. 11 Florida (Oct. 20) and Georgia (Oct. 22). The Aggies travel to Tennessee on October 29 before hosting Alabama (Nov. 3) and Auburn (Nov. 5). Next, the Maroon & White head to Missouri (Nov. 10) and Kentucky (Nov.16) before entertaining Tennessee (Nov. 19) and Ole Miss (Nov. 22) at home. The Aggies round out conference play with a stop at Alabama on November 25.Â