#8 Aggies Open Season vs TWO Top-12 Foes
Texas A&M Volleyball Kicks Off 2026 Season at Big Tournament
What’s Happening?
The Texas A&M Aggies volleyball team—ranked No. 8 in the country—is starting their 2026 season this weekend at a special tournament called the AVCA First Serve. Think of it like the "opening weekend" of the college volleyball season, where top teams gather to play early matches.
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin (neutral court—not at either team’s home gym)
When: This weekend
Who: The defending national champions!
The Schedule: Two Big Matches in Three Days
| Day | Opponent | Their Rank | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Louisville Cardinals | No. 7 | 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | SMU Mustangs | No. 11 | 12:00 PM |
Both games will be on ESPN2, so you can watch from home!
Match #1: Friday vs. Louisville — A Rematch to Remember
Why This Game Is Extra Special
- Sweet 16 Rematch: Last year, these two teams met in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 (that’s the round of 16 best teams).
- Epic Comeback: A&M was down 2 sets to 0—meaning Louisville was one set away from winning. But the Aggies fought back to win 3-2 in a five-set thriller!
- History: They’ve played 8 times total. A&M leads 6-2.
- Neutral Court Kings: This is the 5th time they’ve met on a neutral court. A&M wins those 3-1.
ELI5 Explanation: In volleyball, you play "best of 5 sets." First to 3 sets wins. Being down 0-2 means you must win the next three in a row—super hard, super exciting!
Match #2: Sunday vs. SMU — Neighborhood Rivals
The Story Here
- Close but Strangers: A&M (College Station) and SMU (Dallas) are only 3 hours apart by car.
- Barely Played: They’ve only faced off twice in regular season history.
- SMU Has the Edge: The Mustangs won both previous meetings.
- Both Coming Off Strong Years: SMU also made the Sweet 16 last season.
A&M Returns to the AVCA First Serve
This is the Aggies’ 3rd time at this tournament:
- 1997 — Their first appearance ever
- 2025 — Last year in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- 2026 — This year in Milwaukee
Fun Fact: Last year, A&M beat No. 11 Minnesota in 4 sets to open the season. That was Coach Jamie Morrison’s 3rd straight season-opening win!
Meet the Team: Champions Returning + Exciting Newcomers
The Returning Stars (8 players from last year’s title team)
| Player | Why She’s Awesome |
|---|---|
| Kyndal Stowers | NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player — basically the MVP of the whole championship! |
| • 385 kills (2nd on team) | |
| • 3.5 kills per set | |
| • 248 digs (great defense!) | |
| • 64 blocks |
Vocabulary:
Kill = An attack that scores a point immediately (unstoppable hit)
Dig = Saving a hard-hit ball from hitting the floor
Block = Stopping the opponent’s attack at the net
The New Faces (8 newcomers: 4 transfers + 4 freshmen)
| Player | Background |
|---|---|
| Natalie Ring | Biggest addition! Transfer from Marquette. Third Team All-American in 2025 with 497 kills! |
| Kaia Castle | Another key transfer. Had 13 kills in the preseason tune-up. |
Final Tune-Up: A&M Beats No. 21 Baylor
Before the real games started, A&M played an exhibition (practice game that counts for prep but not record) at Baylor.
Result: A&M wins 3-1
How It Went Down:
- Sets 1-3: A&M dominated — outscored Baylor 75-59 total
- Set 4: Baylor took it 25-23 (A&M probably resting starters)
- Top Performers: Natalie Ring (16 kills) & Kaia Castle (13 kills) led the offense
Why This Matters: Beating a ranked team (even in exhibition) shows the new players fit in perfectly!
How to Follow Along
| What You Need | Where to Go |
|---|---|
| Watch Live | ESPN2 / ESPN.com/watch |
| Live Stats & Updates | 12thman.com/volleyball/schedule |
| Team Info & Roster | 12thman.com/volleyball |
Summary: What You Need to Know
- Defending champs A&M (No. 8) open 2026 season at AVCA First Serve in Milwaukee
- Friday 5 PM: vs. No. 7 Louisville — Sweet 16 rematch, A&M won last year’s 5-set thriller
- Sunday 12 PM: vs. No. 11 SMU — nearby rivals, SMU won both previous meetings
- 8 returning champs including tournament MVP Kyndal Stowers
- 8 newcomers led by All-American transfer Natalie Ring (497 kills last year!)
- Preseason win over No. 21 Baylor shows team is ready
- Both games on ESPN2 — grab snacks and cheer!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: What is the AVCA First Serve?
A: It’s a season-opening tournament organized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Top teams get early high-quality matches before conference play starts.
Q: What does "neutral court" mean?
A: Neither team plays in their home gym. No home-crowd advantage—fair for everyone!
Q: Who is Jamie Morrison?
A: The head coach of Texas A&M volleyball. She’s won her first match in each of her first 3 seasons—pretty impressive!
Q: What’s the difference between a transfer and a freshman?
A: A freshman is brand new to college. A transfer played at another college first, then switched to A&M. Transfers usually contribute right away!
Q: Do exhibition games count for rankings?
A: No! They’re for practice and preparation only. The "real" record starts Friday vs. Louisville.
Let’s Go Aggies!
The defending champions are back, loaded with talent, and ready to defend their title. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to volleyball, this weekend is the perfect time to jump on the bandwagon!
Gig ‘Em!