Gamecocks Drop Four-Set Battle to No. 9 Texas A&M

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina volleyball team (6-7, 0-3) fell 3-1 to No. 9 Texas A&M (11-2, 3-0) in their SEC home opener. The Gamecocks fought down to the wire several times throughout the match, only trailing 31-29 in the opening frame before pulling out a 25-21 win in the third set. Despite the teams valiant effort throughout the night, the Garnet & Black were unable to follow through in the final set.

1st SET: The Gamecocks and Aggies traded points early before a service ace from Alayna Johnson gave Carolina a 10-7 advantage. A successful challenge for no touch from Texas A&M shortened the lead to 13-10, but a kill from Johnson assisted by Victoria Harris pushed the margin to 17-12, forcing a Texas A&M timeout. The Aggies battled back late to tie the set at 22, but back-to-back kills from Johnson gave the Gamecocks set point at 24-22. The teams went back-and-forth into extra points, with a South Carolina net violation handing Texas A&M a 28-27 edge. Despite Nia Hall’s strong frame with seven kills and a .500 hitting percentage, the Aggies closed it out on a service ace, 31-29.

2nd SET: Alayna Johnson opened the set with a service ace, and a block from Emily Beeker pushed the Gamecocks to an early 8-4 advantage. Texas A&M fought back, and the two teams traded points until South Carolina regained momentum behind another Beeker block to lead 22-19. Laiya Ebo then came up big at the net, recording a crucial block to earn set point before sealing the frame with another to close out a 25-20 win. Hall continued to build upon her strong night, reaching double-digit kills with 11 through two sets.

3rd SET: Texas A&M started with a 4-0 run before South Carolina battled back, tying the score at 13-13 with a block from Emily Beeker and Nia Hall, marking Beeker’s seventh block of the night which ties her career high. The Gamecocks responded with a 5-0 run to pull ahead 15-13, but a successful Aggie challenge on a touch call evened the set at 19-19. Despite Carolina’s push, Texas A&M regained control late and closed out the set 25-21.

4th SET: The Aggies opened with a 3-0 run and carried the momentum throughout the set, building a 14-7 advantage. Several errors slowed down the Gamecocks and forced a timeout while trailing 18-10. Although the Garnet & Black picked up a few kills down the stretch, they were unable to gain a lead, and Texas A&M closed out the set decisively, 25-13.

Notables 

• The first set was a tight battle with six lead changes and 14 tied scores
• Nia Hall led the offense with 16 kills
• Emily Beeker set a new career high nine blocks, the highest amount earned on the team this season so far
• Freshman Kaia Pixler smashed her previous collegiate career high four assists, earning 20 tonight which led the team. She neared a double-double after adding eight digs
• Victoria Harris dished out 22 digs, her fourth match in the 20s and seventh consecutive in the double digits

Up Next: The Gamecocks round out competition for the week on Sunday, Oct. 5 against Georgia at 1:00 p.m.