Sports

The new home of Texas volleyball?

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2025

AUSTIN (KXAN) – As Texas volleyball gets set for a busy weekend hosting the regional semifinals and final at Gregory Gymnasium, the future takes the spotlight as much as the present.

The University of Texas issued a request for proposal (RFP) Wednesday as they look for private developers to help them create the new home for Texas volleyball and a student-athlete housing facility adjacent to the arena.

In a release, the university explained the aim is to have the arena hold around 6,000 fans, with some ability to change that number for shows and university events. The project, which will be located just north of East MLK Boulevard, is set to take up about four acres.

The request does not set a date for when the facility would begin construction, as the university currently seeks, “private developer(s) to plan, design, construct, equip, finance and operate,” the new arena and housing development. Essentially seeking partnership in developing the two buildings, the announcement delivers a message on Texas Athletics’ growing ambition to expand its facilities.

_{Rendering of the new Texas volleyball arena from outside (Courtesy: Texas Athletics)}

“It is important for us to be strategic about how we use our space and how our students and visitors engage with our campus,” UT President Jim Davis said. “This is a unique development that will enhance the University’s athletics facilities and housing portfolio and benefit students, Longhorn fans and our city for years to come. I am grateful to our Board of Regents for their support for our vision.”

Any initial arguments for a greater fan capacity was supported early this season when the Longhorns hosted Stanford in Moody Center in September. Setting a state of Texas volleyball attendance record of 10,899 fans, the Longhorns certainly made a case for why they deserve more space for their matches.

Texas volleyball currently resides in Gregory Gymnasium, which can officially hold a capacity of 4,000 fans, but can accommodate more if necessary. Regularly attracting a large crowd, Texas averaged 4,393 fans per match in 2024, according to UT Athletics.

_{Rendering of the proposed new Texas volleyball arena and student-athlete housing center} _{(Courtesy: Texas Athletics)}

“This is a critical step for the future of Texas Volleyball and our student-athletes’ housing experience,” Athletics Director Chris Del Conte said. “It is about creating an experience that our student-athletes, coaches and passionate fans will be proud of in the heart of a district built for elite talent and entertainment.”

The university’s proposal for the new facility will certainly create a new experience for the Longhorns. According to renderings released by the University via X, the arena will resemble the design of the Moody Center, have an upper bowl and a jumbotron over the center of the court.

Dedicating this arena is yet another indicator of the growing influence of women’s volleyball. A sport that continues to gain popularity, this step by Texas Athletics not only shows the team’s commitment to providing its athletes some of the nation’s best facilities, but to the growth of the sport as well.

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Purdue vs Pittsburgh NCAA volleyball tournament live score updates, TV channel

Published

12 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

7:38 pm ET

Purdue vs Pitt volleyball score tonight

The Boilers got out to a 3-1 start but a couple of errors led to Pitt evening the game at 5.

7:29 pm ET

Purdue volleyball vs Pitt start time

Fortunately, the match before this one ended early (on time?) with Kentucky and former Boiler Eva Hudson punching their ticket to the Final Four with a sweep of Creighton. We should be ready to go momentarily. We’re about four minutes away.

7:20 pm ET

Who did Purdue volleyball beat in NCAA volleyball tournament Sweet 16?

The Boilermakers looked awful in the first set against SMU, trailing 18-5 at one point, and fought their way to a four-set win.

7:10 pm ET

Who did Purdue volleyball beat in NCAA volleyball tournament second round?

Here’s how the Boilers punched their tickets against Baylor in the second round.

7:00 pm ET

Who did Purdue volleyball beat in NCAA volleyball tournament first round?

Here’s a look at how the Boilers beat Wright State to open the tournament.

6:45 pm ET

Akasha Anderson comes up in clutch time for Purdue volleyball

Akasha Anderson transferred most recently from Michigan State, where she spent her lone postseason at home. After arriving in West Lafayette, “Kash” has earned her nickname as she showed last week.

6:30 pm ET

How Grace Heaney developed into Purdue volleyball’s efficient hitter

A native of Nebraska, Grace Heaney stuck with Purdue even through injuries. The redshirt sophomore has been incredibly efficient this season. Here’s more from earlier in the year:

6:15 pm ET

How transfers found their way into Purdue volleyball culture

The Monon Spike match was a test of sorts for Akasha Anderson, Dior Charles and several other Purdue transfers. It’s a rivalry, in coach Dave Shondell’s eyes, and allowed a pair of newcomers to see his competitive side. Here’s what it meant to them:

6:00 pm ET

How Kenna Wollard became Purdue volleyball star. Why Kenna Wollard stayed at Purdue with Eva Hudson, Chloe Chicoine

IndyStar editor Aaron Ferguson met with Kenna Wollard’s family, Kenna herself and coach Dave Shondell to understand why the former top recruit stayed after Chloe Chicoine and Eva Hudson became Purdue’s stars.

Those conversations revealed a “sweet beast” who is the daughter of former college athletes. She’s from a small village in Illinois, and those experiences shaped her.

5:45 pm ET

Dave Shondell considered retirement but Purdue volleyball reenergized him

Dave Shondell spoke candidly about the transfers of Chloe Chicoine and Eva Hudson, to the point he was considering retiring as the new age of player empowerment and movement hit his program — hit Purdue. So what did this season’s team leave as an impression on him? It’s in their motto, “Ever grateful,” he said.

From my exclusive conversations with the 67-year-old Shondell:

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Elite Eight scores and highlights

Published

28 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Updated Dec. 13, 2025, 7:14 p.m. ET

This is it. The final frontier before the NCAA women’s volleyball Final Four.

All four No. 1 and No. 3 seeds advanced through the Round of 16 and will play Saturday and Sunday for a right to advance to Final Four at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

No. 1 Kentucky beat No. 3 seed Creighton to punch its ticket in the early match Saturday. They will face the winner of No. 3 Purdue against No. 1 Pittsburgh (7:30 p.m., ESPN2).

Pitt’s had sweeps against UMBC, Michigan and Minnesota to advance. But many of the sets were too close for comfort.

“I think we’re really battle-tested,” said Pitt’s Olivia Babcock, the reigning Player of the Year. “In no way does it feel like we’ve swept our way through. All these teams are playing their hardest, and if you look at the scores, it’s not like we’re blowing teams out. It’s like 25-23, a set that could really go either way.

“I feel like it’s testing us with how we can play at the end (of sets). That’s something that’s going to be really important moving into these next three rounds.”

Purdue arrives in a snowstorm

FINAL SCORE: Kentucky 3, Creighton 0

Set 3 final: Kentucky 25, Creighton 18

Kentucky advances to its second Final Four. Brooklyn Deleye finished with 18 kills, Eva Hudson 13 kills and Asia Thigpen eight kills. Kassie O’Brien had 40 assists and eight digs. The Wildcats hit .263 for the match.

Set 3: Kentucky closing in on second Final Four

Brooklyn Deleye has 16 kills and is hitting .316. Eva Hudson has 12 kills and is hitting .320. Kassie O’Brien has 38 assists.

Set 2 final: Kentucky 25, Creighton 13

The Wildcats handed the Bluejays their worst set defeat of the season. Kentucky improved its hitting percentage to .289 and had 11 kills from Brooklyn Deleye. Crieghton had eight kills and eight errors for a .000 hitting percentage.

Kentucky is one set away from Kansas City and the Final Four.

Set 2: Kentucky again first team to 15

Kentucky has nine kills and is hitting .282. The Bluejays have a negative hitting percentage in the second set at -0.0.37.

Set 1 final score: Kentucky 25, Creighton 19

Brooklyn Deleye and Eva Hudson had six kills each to lead Kentucky. The Wildcats are hitting .292 as a team compared to .091 for the Bluejays. Kentucky had 17 kills in the first set and Creighton nine.

Set 1: Kentucky first to 15

Brooklyn Deleye and Eva Hudson have five kills each in the early going to help the Wildcats get to a slim 15-14 lead.

Kentucky starting volleyball lineup

Creighton starting volleyball lineup

Kentucky ready to protect its house

When is NCAA women’s volleyball regional final?

Date: Dec. 13 and Dec. 14
Time: Two matches each day. Match-by-match times below.

How to watch NCAA volleyball tournament

The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball tournament will air across the ESPN and ABC family of networks. Games can be streamed ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

NCAA volleyball regional final: Times, TV

All times Eastern

Saturday, Dec. 13

No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 1 Kentucky, 5 p.m. | ESPN2
No. 1 Pittsburgh vs. No. 3 Purdue, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Sunday, Dec. 14

No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Texas, TBD | ESPN2
No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Nebraska, TBD | ESPN2

When is the NCAA volleyball Final Four in 2025?

Dates: Thursday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 21
The two semifinal matches in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 and will be broadcast on ESPN. The national championship game is Sunday, Dec. 21 on ABC.

Round of 16 volleyball results

Thursday, Dec. 11

No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 2 Arizona State 1
No. 1 Kentucky 3, Cal Poly 0
No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, No. 4 Minnesota 0
No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 2 SMU 1

Friday, Dec. 12

No. 1 Texas 3, No. 4 Indiana 0
No. 3 Wisconsin 3, No. 2 Stanford 1
No. 3 Texas A&M 3, No. 2 Louisville 2
No. 1 Nebraska 3, No. 4 Kansas 0

NCAA volleyball second-round results

Lexington bracket

No. 1 Kentucky 3, No. 8 UCLA 1 (30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17)
No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 6 Northern Iowa 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21)
No. 2 Arizona State 3, Utah State 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15)
Cal Poly 3, No. 4 USC 2 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7)

Austin bracket

No. 4 Indiana 3, No. 5 Colorado 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)
No. 3 Wisconsin 3, North Carolina 0 (25-14, 25-21, 27-25)
No. 1 Texas 1, No. 8 Penn State 0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-19)
No. 2 Stanford 3, Arizona 1 (25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20)

Pittsburgh bracket

No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 6 Baylor 1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20)
No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, Michigan 0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-18)
No. 2 SMU 3, Florida 0 (25-11, 25-21, 26-24)
No. 4 Minnesota 3, No. 5 Iowa State 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14)

Lincoln bracket

No. 4 Kansas 3, No. 5 Miami 1 (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)
No. 2 Louisville 3, Marquette 2 (21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12)
No. 1 Nebraska 3, Kansas State 0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16)
No. 3 Texas A&M 3, No. 6 TCU 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 29-27)

NCAA volleyball first-round results

Lexington bracket

No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-12)
No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10)
Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2 (25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10)
No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0, (25-19, 25-12, 25-13)
No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2 (12-25, 25-23,25-23,17-25, 8-15)
No. 6 Northern Iowa 3, Utah 2 (15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10)
Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2 (25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11)
No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-12)

Austin bracket

No. 1 Texas 3, Florida A&M 0 (25-11, 25- 8, 25-14)
No. 8 Penn State 3, South Florida 1 (25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19)
No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16)
No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)
No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0 (25-11, 25-6, 25-19)
North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1 (24-26, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21)
Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15)
No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14)

Pittsburgh bracket

No. 1 Pitt 3, UMBC 0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-13)
Michigan 3, No. 8 Xavier 0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23)
No. 5 Iowa State 3, St. Thomas-Minnesota 2 (21-25, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 15-8)
No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-13)
No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-19)
No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2 (23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 15-10)
Florida 3, No. 7 Rice 0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-19)
No. 2 SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13)

Lincoln bracket

No. 1 Nebraska 3, Long Island 0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-17)
Kansas State 3, San Diego 2 (21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12)
No. 5 Miami 3, Tulsa 1 (25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20)
No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18)
No. 3 Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0 (25-20, 25-10, 25-13)
No. 6 TCU 3, Stephen F. Austin 0 (25-8, 26-24, 25-20)
Marquette 3, Western Kentucky 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-16)
No. 2 Louisville 3, Loyola (Illinois) 0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-12)

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Creighton volleyball falls in Elite Eight match, finishes season 28-6

Published

44 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Creighton volleyball fell Saturday in three sets against the Kentucky Wildcats in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Volleyball tournament.

The Wildcats owned all three sets, winning with scores of 25-19, 25-13 and 25-18.

Kentucky’s ruthless offense kept the Bluejays on the defense as the game churned into the third set. Following the second set, Kentucky’s coach Craig Skinner told the ESPN2 crew that he was relying on his team’s “big dogs to get it done.”

“Serving pressure was a big factor,” Skinner said heading into the locker room. “Reinhardt hasn’t been able to get involved as much. To keep them away from the net, to limit the number of options is huge.”

Creighton coach Brian Rosen, who’s leading the Creighton team through the NCAA tournament for his first time, said he told his team they needed to change their mindset heading into the third set.

“We’ve got to clean some things up,” Rosen told the ESPN2 crew. “We’re not putting any points on our serves right now, so we got to push it.”

Several long rallies in the third set felt like a comeback for the Bluejays, but the team came up just short. Creighton was attempting to make program history by punching its the ticket to the Final Four but fell just short against Kentucky.

The season-ending loss capped another impressive season for the Bluejays, which included the program’s sixth-straight Big East title.

Senior players, Ava Martin and Kiara Reinhardt, will continue their volleyball careers when they trade their college jerseys for professional ones in the Major League Volleyball. In November. Martin was drafted second-overall to the Atlanta Vibe. Reinhardt was eighth-overall pick by the Omaha Supernovas. The two first-round picks made league history. Creighton was the first school to have two selections in the first round of the same draft.

The Bluejays finished the season 28-6.

The Nebraska volleyball team will look to continue its undefeated season Sunday against Texas A&M. The match will be broadcast at 2 p.m. CT on ABC. If the Huskers move on, they’ll play Thursday.

The NCAA Championship will be Sunday, Dec. 21 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

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Creighton vs. Kentucky volleyball: Elite Eight scores, highlights

Published

2 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Updated Dec. 13, 2025, 6:02 p.m. ET

The No. 1 seeded Kentucky women’s volleyball team will face No. 3 Creighton for the right to advance to the Final Four on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Kentucky (28-2) has been to the Final Four once, in 2021, and came away with a title. Creighton (28-5) is looking to punch its ticket to its first Final Four.

The Wildcats have a 25-match win streak vs. the Bluejays’ 24-game win streak.

Outside hitters Brooklyn DeLeye and Eva Hudson, who transferred from Purdue, and freshman setter Kassie O’Brien lead Kentucky.

“Looking forward to playing Creighton,” Skinner said. “Obviously, a team that’s had a lot of success this year and presents lots of challenges with their offense and the way they play.”

Outside hitter Ava Martin, middle blocker Kiara Reinhardt and setter Annalea Maeder lead the Bluejays.

What time is Creighton vs Kentucky volleyball?

The Creighton Bluejays play the Kentucky Wildcats in the Elite Eight of the NCAA volleyball tournament on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 5:00 p.m. ET at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky.

Creighton vs Kentucky volleyball TV channel, streaming

Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT)
Location: Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, Kentucky)
TV: ESPN2
Stream: Fubo, ESPN Unlimited

Stream live sports with Fubo

SCORE: Kentucky 2, Creighton 0

Set 2 final: Kentucky 25, Creighton 13

The Wildcats handed the Bluejays their worst set defeat of the season.

Set 2: Kentucky again first team to 15

Kentucky has nine kills and is hitting .282. The Bluejays have a negative hitting percentage in the second set at -0.0.37.

Set 1 final score: Kentucky 25, Creighton 19

Set 1: Kentucky first to 15

Brooklyn Deleye and Eva Hudson have five kills each in the early going to help the Wildcats get to a slim 15-14 lead.

Kentucky starting volleyball lineup

Creighton starting volleyball lineup

Kentucky ready to protect its house

Kentucky volleyball roster

1	Trinity Ward	DS/Libero	5-7	Freshman	Louisville, Ky.	Holy Cross HS
2	Ava Sarafa	Setter	6-0	Redshirt Sophomore	Bloomfield Hills, Mich.	Marian HS
5	Jordyn Dailey	Middle Blocker / Right Side	6-2	Redshirt Sophomore	Franklinton, North Carolina	NC Academy for Learning and Enrichment
6	Kassie O’Brien	Setter	6-1	Freshman	Katy, Texas	Cinco Rancho HS
7	Eva Hudson	Outside Hitter	6-1	Senior	Ft. Wayne, Ind.	Purdue
8	Brooke Bultema	Middle Blocker	6-3	Redshirt Sophomore	Cincinnati, Ohio	Ursuline Academy
9	Georgia Watson	Outside Hitter	6-3	Freshman	Huntley, Ill.	Huntley HS
10	Kennedy Washington	Middle Blocker	6-0	Sophomore	Glenn Heights, Texas	Prestonwood
11	Molly Berezowitz	DS/Libero	5-5	Junior	Burlington, Wisc.	Burlington HS	Marquette
12	Molly Tuozzo	Libero	5-7	Junior	The Woodlands, Texas	The Woodlands HS
13	Hannah Benjamin	Outside Hitter	6-1	Redshirt Freshman	Atlanta, Ga.	Fideles Christian
15	Lizzie Carr	Middle Blocker / Right Side	6-6	Redshirt Junior	West Chester, Pa.	Purdue
17	Brooklyn DeLeye	Outside Hitter	6-2	Junior	Topeka, Kansas	Washburn Rural HS
20	Asia Thigpen	Outside Hitter	5-11	Sophomore	Pittsboro, N.C.	Northwood

Creighton volleyball roster

#	Name	Pos	Ht	Year	Hometown	High School	Previous School
1	Alivia Hausmann	DS	5′ 5”	So.	Roca, Neb.	Norris
2	Abbey Hayes	OH	6′ 1”	Fr.	Eldridge, Iowa	North Scott
3	Sky McCune	DS	5′ 7”	Sr.	Gretna, Neb.	Gretna
5	Kiara Reinhardt	MB	6′ 3”	Sr.	Cedarburg, Wis.	Cedarburg
6	Jaya Johnson	RS / MB	6′ 2”	So.	Olathe, Kan.	Olathe South
7	Ivy Leuck	S	5′ 6”	Jr.	Omaha, Neb.	Skutt Catholic	Omaha
8	Ava Martin	OH	6′ 1”	Sr.	Overland Park, Kan.	St. Thomas Aquinas
9	Sophia Wendlick	RS / OH	6′ 0”	So.	Milwaukee, Wis.	Divine Savior Holy Angels
10	Eloise Brandewie	MB	6′ 3”	Jr.	Columbus, Ohio	Bishop Hartley	Ohio State
11	Emersen Strain	S	5′ 11”	So.	Thornton, Colo.	Horizon
12	Ava TeStrake	RS / OH	6′ 4”	Jr.	Olathe, Kan.	Olathe West
13	Saige Damrow	DS	5′ 8”	So.	Howards Grove, Wis.	Howards Grove	Wisconsin
17	Annalea Maeder	S	6′ 1”	Sr.	Ried, Switzerland	Gymnasium Baumlihof	California
18	Destiny Ndam-Simpson	OH	6′ 0”	Jr.	Omaha, Neb.	Westside
19	Nora Wurtz	MB	6′ 4”	R-Fr.	Valley, Neb.	Douglas County West
22	Ashlyn Paymal	RS	6′ 1”	Fr.	Omaha, Neb.	Westside
24	Sydney Breissinger	DS	5′ 7”	Jr.	Cincinnati, Ohio	Ursuline Academy

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A reverse-sweep comeback over Louisville pushes Texas A&M volleyball to third-ever Elite Eight

Published

3 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

(KBTX) – In the middle of the third set of Friday’s NCAA Tournament region semifinal volleyball match, Texas A&M opposite hitter Logan Lednicky glanced at a random piece of paper in the middle of the score’s table.

After being the first team to 15 points in both of the first two sets, the third-seeded Aggies’ allowed No. 2 seed Louisville to rally and set up a three-game sweep. The Aggies needed a rare reverse sweep to keep their season alive. They were looking for an answer to the situation they found themselves in.

Sometimes the sign is literally a sign.

“Something great is about to happen,” the piece of paper read.

Three sets later, the Aggies were celebrating on the court of the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Nebraska, having rallied to beat Louisville 3-2 in a five set thriller. It was A&M’s first reverse sweep since September 29 of last year, when the Aggies’ came from behind to beat Missouri in Reed Arena.

“I’m like floating on air,” Lednicky said after the match. “That was the most insane experience I have ever been a part of.”

From the start, A&M appeared to be in control of the match, jumping out to a 17-12 lead. However, after A&M reached 15 points, Louisville did not commit another error in the set. The Cardinals closed out the set on a 6-3 run to take the first game.

History repeated itself in the second set. A&M pulled out to a 21-16 lead, but allowed a 5-0 Cardinal run to tie the game. An 8-0 run ultimately sealed the 2-0 start for Louisville and put the Aggies’ season in jeopardy.

It wasn’t unfamiliar territory for the Aggies. Not only did A&M travel to Nebraska last season for the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament, they fell behind 2-1 to Wisconsin and needed to push the game to a fifth set to try to advance. That effort fell short in the final game, 15-13, ending the Aggies season.

The story of this season wouldn’t end the same way.

“I think we spent a lot of time under tension,” Aggie middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla said. “I think that was something we all said when we were in that fifth set, just knowing that we had been here before. We played here before. We’ve been in this exact situation before and it’s really just on us to turn it around and capitalize.”

The Aggie block leader was key at the net in the match turn-around. A&M finished the match with 17 blocks, 12 of which came from Cos-Okpalla. The Aggies had nine blocks in the fourth set, seven off the hands of Cos-Okpalla.

The senior finished with nine kills, to go along with her blocking effort and a .316 hit percentage.

“Even when I wasn’t getting blocked or good touches, I think I was in a good enough spot to like funnel out space for the defense to work behind me,” Cos-Okpalla said. “We can just run our offense from there. So yeah, it takes everybody on the team honestly, but, yeah, I’m just so proud.”

The fifth set saw nine ties and three lead changes in a back-and-forth struggle for the next line of the bracket. The Aggies needed a 3-0 run through the middle of the set to take a 10-9 lead, thanks to two Louisville errors and a block by Cos-Okpalla and Lednicky. Then, the Aggies closed the match out on a 5-2 run with outside hitter Kyndal Stowers recording the final kill.

Lednicky paced the Aggies with 20 kills and added 12 digs and seven blocks. Stowers had 17 kills and 11 digs.

Louisville’s Chloe Chicoine led all attackers with 26 kills.

A&M hit at a .277 clip, slightly better than Louisville’s .229.

The Aggies advance to the program’s third-ever regional final and will face the No. 1 overall seed Nebraska on its home court Sunday at 2 p.m. The Cornhuskers took down No. 4 seed Kansas 3-0 in a match directly following A&M’s win.

In the meantime, A&M can take a moment to relish in the program they’ve builtin the three years of the Morrison era.

“My No. 1 thing that I said when I first got here was to get it back to where its was and take it further and we have it back to where it was… Now, it’s time, in two days, to take it further,” Morrison said.

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Gonzaga Volleyball signs Lydia Fisher

Published

3 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SPOKANE, Wash- Gonzaga Volleyball continues to build for the future with the addition of another signee for next season, as head coach JT Wenger announced the signing of Lydia Fisher on Thursday night.

Coming to Spokane after completing her high school career her hometown of Dallas, Lydia has starred for Highland Park High School as middle blocker and right side hitter. She was named to the First Team All-District while representing the Scots. Fisher helped the team to a capture a state championship last month, as Highland Park won the 5A State Championship. A 6’5″ blocker, Fisher will help further establish the net front presence for the Zags when she comes to campus next season.

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