Mississippi State
7-7, 2-3SEC
Alabama
8-8, 2-4SEC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Alabama | 16 | 23 | 21 | 0 |
State Volleyball Blanks 'Bama In Tuscaloosa, 3-0
September 30, 2011 | Volleyball
"I am so proud of this team," said Hazelwood, a record-setting setter during her Mississippi State volleyball career. "We had a tremendous week of practice after a tough weekend on the road last week. But we put together a great game plan and the girls executed it well throughout the match."
"Faith (Steinwedell) was a huge asset for us and came through with big play after big play when we needed them the most. And Caitlin (Rance) was as steady as ever," added Hazelwood.
Caitlin Rance tallied a match-high 12 kills and added 10 digs for her team-leading sixth double-double of the year. Faith Steinwedell registered her first double-double of the year with 12 kills and a match-high 15 digs. Freshman Lainey Wyman added 10 kills while senior middle Hannah Wilkinson paced MSU at the net with four blocks.
The Bulldogs travel to Oxford, Miss., Sunday afternoon for a program-first nationally-televised (ESPNU) match against in-state SEC rival Ole Miss (5-8/1-4 SEC). First serve at the Gillom Sports Center is set for 4:02 p.m.
MSU held a 46-37 edge in kills, out-hit the Tide .223 to .198 and edged the Crimson Tide in digs 59-54.
Rance and Steinwedell registered five kills each as State claimed the opening set 25-16. A pair of Alabama miscues broke a 6-6 deadlock and State never trailed the remainder of the opening stanza.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 7-3 advantage in the second set. Alabama, led on the night by Kayla Fitterer's 10 kills, went on a 6-0 run to take a 16-13 lead midway through the period. The Bulldogs battled back, pulling even at 21-21 on a kill by Wyman and then out-pointed Bama 4-2 down the stretch to overcome 11 attack errors and take a 25-23 win.
State trailed only briefly in the early going of the third set but put together a pair of 5-0 runs midway through the third stanza to seal the win. Wyman registered five kills and a pair of blocks to pace State in the match-clincher.
Junior Hillary Parker started at libero for State and led all defenders in the match with 18 digs.
"We passed the ball and defended very well tonight," said Hazelwood. "Hopefully this will give us some momentum going into a tough match at Ole Miss Sunday."
