đ BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, TX â The No. 3 seed Texas A&M volleyball program delivered an emphatic statement to open its NCAA Tournament campaign, dispatching the Campbell Fighting Camels in a commanding 3-0 sweep (25-20, 25-10, 25-13) on Friday night at Reed Arena.
In front of a massive, roaring crowd of 5,830âa postseason program record buoyed by the “12th Man”âHead Coach Jamie Morrisonâs squad demonstrated the power and efficiency that propelled them to an impressive 24-4 overall record this season, securing their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Volleyball Tournament.
An Offensive Masterclass: Aggies Break Records
The Aggies didn’t just win; they dominated with a blistering offensive performance that set new program records. After a competitive first set, Texas A&M crushed the Camels in the final two frames by a combined score of 50-23.
As a team, the Maroon and White finished the match with a sensational .419 hitting percentage, shattering the programâs postseason record for a three-set match in the rally-scoring era. The second set, a lopsided 25-10 victory, saw the Aggies record a staggering .727 hitting percentage while holding Campbell to a shocking .000 clip.
Leading the charge was the dynamic duo of senior opposite hitter Logan Lednicky and outside hitter Emily Hellmuth.
* Logan Lednicky: Finished with a match-high 18 kills and a .654 hitting percentage.
* Emily Hellmuth: Contributed 10 kills and broke the program’s postseason three-set match individual hitting percentage record with a scorching .667 clip.
The pair combined for 28 kills and 5 blocks, showcasing their elite synergy on the right side.
Logan Lednicky Etches Her Name in Aggie History
The victory was especially significant for Logan Lednicky, who cemented her status as an Aggie legend by achieving a major career milestone. With her powerful performance, Lednicky surpassed the illustrious mark of former Aggie and Olympic star Stacy Sykora on the Texas A&M all-time kills list, climbing to the No. 4 spot in program history after recording her 1,587^{th} career kill.
“That feels great to just be able to get off on the right note,” Hellmuth said after the match, reflecting the team’s excitement about the decisive win. The teamâs overall statistics were overwhelming: 43 total kills, that elite .419 hitting percentage, and 10 total blocks, led by middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla’s six blocks.
The Road Ahead: TCU Rematch Looms
The dominant win over the Campbell Camels (who finish their excellent season 23-7 as Coastal Athletic Association champions) sets up a thrilling second-round regional matchup. The Texas A&M Aggies will face an immediate, familiar foe in the TCU Horned Frogs, who secured their own first-round win by defeating Stephen F. Austin.
The match, a showdown between two in-state rivals, is set for Saturday night back at Reed Arena. Coach Morrisonâs Aggies will be eager to prove their current ranking after earlier splitting a pair of tough matchups with the Horned Frogs during the non-conference schedule, including a hard-fought five-set loss to the Horned Frogs in Fort Worth. This Second Round clash promises a high-stakes, intense atmosphere, with the winner advancing to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament.