Texas A&M outlasted the Missouri Tigers 3-2 (25-27, 25-19, 25-18, 23-25, 15-4) at G. Rollie White Coliseum Saturday. The Aggies (7-8, 2-3) win over Missouri (8-7, 2-3) follows a five-set loss to Colorado last Saturday. A&M was once again unable to close out their opponent in the fourth set but Head Coach Laurie Corbelli said she was confident and had faith in her team going into the fifth and deciding set. "The team was ready to go and I didn't have any doubts that we would take the match," Corbelli said. Junior Mary Batis led the Aggies with 23 kills, surpassing the career-high that she set earlier this season. In the final set Batis scored seven of A&M's ten kills. "It was her night," A&M setter Jola Kelner said. "I just knew she was going to finish them." Kelner earned a spot in the starting lineup following an ankle injury suffered by Kristen Schevikhoven. "I just can't get over how much fun it was on the court," Kelner said. The junior finished with career-highs in kills and digs with 4 and 13 respectively. Three-year starter Sarah Ammerman added 14 kills to the performance and scored her 1,000th career point at A&M. Ammerman said she appreciates all the effort that she has put forth so far in her collegiate career. "I've loved every minute of it," Ammerman said. "It's been really hard at times. It's just been a learning experience the whole way." Ammerman joined Batis, who surpassed the mark earlier this season against Oklahoma. The Aggies also welcomed senior Jillian Phillips back to the rotation. The senior finished with eight kills and 2.5 blocks. "She is just so experienced and so talented," Corbelli said. "It is nice to have a returning starter back on the floor." Corbelli has emphasized blocking in practice all year and it is starting to pay off for A&M. Coming off their 13-block performance in Boulder, the Aggies recorded 16 team blocks including eight involving senior Darla Donaldson. "It provides so much momentum for the team and gives you such a psychological advantage as well," Corbelli said. A tight opening set went back and forth until an Ammerman kill tied it up at 25-25. Missouri would then record a block and force an A&M out to clinch the early lead.
The Aggies responded with strong performances in the following two sets. In the second, A&M capitalized on a Tiger service error and scored five consecutive points to tie the match. Missouri fell behind early in the third set and never caught up. A&M fell behind early in the fourth set but maintained its composure and fought back to a 23-23 tie. A netting call on the Aggies gave Missouri the advantage, which the Tigers capitalized on with a kill by leading-scorer Julianna Klein. Although the Aggies were 0-3 in matches after losing the fourth set, they jumped out to a 6-0 lead that stripped Missouri of any momentum they had gained. The Tigers would give up another A&M 6-point run before succumbing 15-4. The Aggies return to the court Wednesday at Kansas. The Aggies have struggled on the road this season, posting a 1-7 record when playing away from G. Rollie White Coliseum.
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