Mississippi State
6-18, 1-8SEC
South Carolina
14-7, 4-4SEC
Warren Tallies Career-High 18 Kills As MSU Falls At South Carolina
October 25, 2014 | Volleyball
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Despite a number of impressive performances, including a career-high 18 kills from Alex Warren, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (6-18, 1-8 SEC) fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks (14-7, 4-4 SEC) in a 3-1 decision on Friday night.
Along with Warren's career-high 18, a number of Bulldogs had notable showings against the Gamecocks. Shelby Anderton tallied a season-high 43 assists on the season, while also earning her fourth-straight match of 30-plus assists. The junior also earned 12 digs, recording her third double-double of the year.
Senior Kelsey Stommes also put together a solid match, tying a career high with four total blocks, while Bali Leffall-Young earned seven kills, eclipsing the century mark for kills for her career.
Friday's contest was a fight to the finish, as neither squad seemed to gain a significant advantage. Both sides traded blows for majority of the first set until South Carolina used a late 3-0 run to create separation after a Warren kill pulled the Bulldogs to within one. State would force a timeout after coming within two of the Gamecocks, down 23-21, but would come no closer, as SC went on to take the first set, 25-22.
The second frame again provided a back-and-forth affair, as neither squad could seem to find a rhythm until late. Down 17-16 after a ball handling error, the Gamecocks fired up an 8-1 run to seal a 2-0 lead in the match, going on to take the set, 25-20.
Down two sets and facing a sweep, the Bulldogs fired back behind the attacking trio of Leffall-Young, Warren and Leticia Valente, who combined for 15 kills in the frame. State jumped out to a 5-1 lead and would never relinquish its lead for the set. On several occasions, the Gamecocks would pull within one, but could not tie it up. After SC cut the MSU lead to 23-22, Warren tallied her seventh kill of the set, which was followed by a Gamecock attack error to give the Bulldogs the set, 25-22.
MSU looked to carry its momentum into the fourth set, hoping to force a deciding fifth frame. Both squads traded time in the lead until a kill from Valente tied the match at 20-20. The Gamecocks responded with a 5-1 run to end the match, taking the fourth set, 25-21, and the match, 3-1.
Rounding out the stat sheet for the Bulldogs was freshman libero Payton Harris, who earned 20 digs on the night, recording her 17th match of 20-plus digs for the year. The 20 digs also ups her season total to 573, moving her to second place on the single-season digs list. Harris now stands 59 away from tying the all-time record of 632 set last season by Roxanne McVey.
Leading the Gamecocks was the duo of Taylr and Kellie McNeil. Both earned a double-double for the home squad, with Taylr recording 16 kills and 12 digs, while Kellie tallied 14 kills and 37 assists.
The Maroon and White return to action on Sunday, Oct. 26, travelling to Gainesville, Fla., to face the No. 8 Florida Gators. First serve is set for 12:30 p.m. CT, on the SEC Network +. Fans can access the broadcast through ESPN3.com or the WatchESPN app.
For more information and updates on Mississippi State volleyball, fans can follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at HailStateVB.
