From Austin to Aggieland: Inside AVO’s Texas A&M Shoot

Our first photo shoot brought us to Davis Diamond, where we met Texas A&M softball players Maddie Azua, Atalyia Rijo and Ariel Kowalewski.

Maddie arrived in Aggieland following an impressive 2026 season in the circle, earning Pitcher of the Year and NFCA All-Region honors. Infielder Atalyia brought her own competitive energy to the shoot, while Ariel joined us after an outstanding season that included NFCA All-Region recognition and several memorable performances at the plate.

Beyond their accomplishments on the field, the trio gave us a glimpse into their individual personalities and personal styles. All three loved the comfort and fit of the new AVO × Texas A&M Softest Fleece Collection. Maddie shared that she would style her AVO set with her favorite sneakers to create an effortless combination for class, travel or a relaxed day away from the field.

From posed images to candid behind-the-scenes moments, the players made it easy to capture the confidence, comfort and versatility behind the collection.

That evening, we headed to the women’s basketball practice gym and locker room, where we were excited to get to know Kailyn Gilbert, Salese Blow and Emerald Parker.

The trio had plenty to chat about, from what they are most looking forward to this season to how they describe their personal style away from the court. Although Emerald was a little shy at first, her fun-loving personality quickly began to shine through in her photos. Salese posed like a pro, while Kailyn completely commanded the court with a custom embellished basketball that added the perfect touch of sparkle to the shoot. Our photographer, Jorge, also captured memorable shots of the trio using a fisheye lens.

Together, they brought three distinct personalities to the collection and showed how naturally AVO fits into life both on and off the court.

The following afternoon, we took the shoot outdoors to Aggie Park, where the lake, landscaped paths and views of Kyle Field created the perfect backdrop for our Texas A&M lifestyle collection.

We were joined by Greek-life students Jason, Gavin, Cole, Mallory, Liliana, Trinity, Reese and Bailey, who brought their individual personalities and campus style to the shoot. Against the energy and natural beauty of Aggie Park, the group showed how easily AVO pieces can transition from class and everyday campus life to weekends and game-day activities.

The relaxed outdoor setting allowed us to capture a mix of styled images and natural moments while highlighting the comfort, versatility and unmistakable Aggie spirit of the collection.

After wrapping the shoot, we enjoyed dinner with Caitlin, Sophie and the Playfly Sports team at Elia Cafe Tapas Bar in nearby Downtown Bryan, and it did not disappoint. Located inside a beautiful historic building, Elia is a charming Spanish restaurant known for its tapas, paella and combination of traditional and contemporary Spanish dishes. It was the perfect setting to unwind, share plates and celebrate a successful visit to Aggieland.

The next morning, we began our road trip back to Austin, stopping for lunch at the legendary Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor, Texas. The family-run restaurant has been serving Central Texas barbecue since 1949 and was the first barbecue restaurant in the country to receive the James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classics Award.

By the time we reached Austin, the city was packed and buzzing with fans arriving ahead of the highly anticipated football showdown between the University of Texas and Ohio State. The energy throughout the city made an already memorable trip feel even more exciting.

We spent time in Austin shopping along South Congress Avenue and celebrated the end of another successful AVO collegiate visit with dinner at Soho House.

From the softball diamond to the basketball court (and from College Station back to Austin) our Texas A&M trip gave us the opportunity to connect with talented student-athletes, experience Aggie culture and capture the spirit of the new AVO × Texas A&M collection.

We cannot wait to share what is coming next.

Follow @shopavo.la on Instagram and TikTok to see more behind-the-scenes content, meet the athletes featured in our collegiate collections and stay up to date on the latest AVO launches.

Gig ’Em, Aggies!