- No. 17 Texas A&M made it back-to-back top 10 wins for the first time in program history during the regular season after downing No. 6 Tennessee, 3-1.
- Kyndal Stowers tied the program record for consecutive double-doubles logging her sixth straight with 19 kills and 15 digs.
- The Aggies delivered on the block party, stuffing a season-high 16 swings.
COLLEGE STATION – The No. 17 Texas A&M volleyball team ensured its second-straight ranked win after downing No. 6 Tennessee Friday evening at Reed Arena, 3-1 (27-25, 33-31, 15-25, 25-23).
The Aggies (14-8, 7-3 SEC) earned the programs first back-to-back wins versus top 10 opponents during the regular season, as they downed the Lady Vols (16-4, 7-3 SEC) in four sets, 3-1. Kyndal Stowers also had some history of her own, as she tied the program record for consecutive double-doubles, extending her streak to six with 19 kills and 15 digs in the win.
The fixture opened with the programs battling back-and-forth, finding level on eight occasions before knotting it at 14. The programs continued to trade points with Tennessee taking a 20-19 lead, as Head Coach Jamie Morrison called his first break. The Aggies responded out of the huddle to take the advantage 23-21. Tennessee battled back to even it out at 24, but A&M didn’t back down and took the set in extras, 27-25.
In similar fashion to the first, the teams remained in lock step with the Lady Vols holding a slight lead, before two consecutive aces from Gabi Rodriguez evened the score to 10. The frame became a set of runs, as it once again went the distance, 24-24. Tennessee had four opportunities to take the frame, but a resilient effort from the Aggies doubled their advantage after taking the set, 33-31.
Tennessee came out firing and took the third, 25-15. The Lady Vols carried their momentum into the fourth, leading 18-14 as Coach Morrison called timeout. The Aggies needed late-frame heroics and got it initially through a 5-1 streak to knot the teams late at 19. Tennessee forged separation once again, 23-19, but senior Margot Manning delivered in the red zone spearheading a 6-0 run to seal the set, 25-23, and match, 3-1.
Stat Leaders
Kills – Kyndal Stowers – 19
Hitting % (Min. 10 kills) – Natalie Ring – .357
Assists – Margot Manning – 48
Aces – Gabi Rodriguez, Margot Manning – 2
Digs – Margot Manning – 16
Blocks – Kaia Castle – 12
Player Notes
#10 Margot Manning
- Recorded a double-double for the second time this season with a career highs in assists and digs with 48 and 16, respectively.
#17 Natalie Ring
- Recorded her fourth consecutive game with double-digit kills (18).
#19 Kaia Castle
- Stuffed a season-high 12 swings, which ranks fourth in program history for a four-set match.
#37 Kyndal Stowers
- Recorded her sixth consecutive double-double with 19 kills and 15 digs, the first Aggie since Hollann Hans in 2018.
- Set a new career high with seven blocks.
Team Notes
- Recorded their second consecutive win against a top-10 opponent, their first time doing so in the regular season in program history.
- Registered 16 blocks, a season-best for the group.
- The Aggies improve to 14-2 when they win the first set.
- The Maroon & White snapped the Lady Vols seven game win streak.
Next Up
The Aggies travel to Austin for the Cotton Holdings Lonestar Showdown facing No. 14 Texas in Gregory Gymnasium Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. on ABC.