From staff reports
Texas A&M’s season was on the brink.
The response was historic.
Facing elimination after dropping the first two sets, the 3-seeded Aggies rallied to complete a reverse sweep of 2-seed Louisville, earning a 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-12 win in a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament matchup Friday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The comeback sends Texas A&M (26-4) to the NCAA regional finals for the first time since 2001 and marks just the third Elite Eight appearance in program history. The 26th victory of the season is the Aggies’ most in a year since the 2001 team finished 26-6.
“We took them out in the hallway (after the second set) and I knew we were going to be ok, we’re going to figure a way out of this,” said head coach Jamie Morrison. “Obviously, Louisville is a really good team, they are really well coached, but we did what we’ve done all year. We were gritty, we believed in each other, and we continue to show the world who we are.”
After Louisville (26-7) controlled the opening two sets, Texas A&M gradually turned the match with steadier serve-receive and an increasing presence at the net. The shift became evident late in the third set, when the Aggies erased a late tie and closed the frame to extend the match and seize momentum.
Logan Lednicky powered the offense with 20 kills, extending her double-digit kill streak to 20 matches. Kyndal Stowers added 17 kills and delivered several key swings in the final three sets, including the match-clinching point in the fifth.
“That was the most insane experience that I’ve ever been a part of,” Lednicky said. “We were in a simnilar situation last year and came up short, and I think that played a part in this (comeback) and bveing in pressure moments all season, but I don’t know if there’s a word to describe this feeling.”
At the net, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla anchored the turnaround. She finished with 12 blocks, breaking the Texas A&M program record for blocks in a five-set postseason match, and helped fuel a defensive effort that wore down Louisville as the match progressed.
Texas A&M pulled away in the fourth set behind a dominant stretch at the net and carried that confidence into the deciding frame. After trading points early in the fifth, the Aggies gained separation following the side switch and closed the door with composed execution.
With the reverse sweep complete, Texas A&M moves within one win of the Final Four. The Aggies will face a juggernaut in the top overall seed Nebraska Sunday. First serve is scheduled for2 p.m. in Lincoln with a trip to the NCAA Final Four on the line. The game will be televised on ABC.
