Mississippi State
11-5, 1-2SEC
Kentucky
10-5, 3-0SEC
Bulldog Volleyball Drops 3-0 Decision At No. 21 Kentucky
October 03, 2015 | Volleyball
LEXINGTON, Ky. – In the final contest of a nine-match road stretch, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-5, 1-2 SEC) fell in a 3-0 decision Friday night against the 21st-ranked Kentucky Wildcats (10-5, 3-0 SEC) at the Memorial Coliseum.
Despite the loss, MSU has still won five of its last seven, but have been unable to find their rhythm against the Wildcats. UK took its sixth-straight match in the series against State.
Kentucky got off to a strong start with impressive showings in sets one (25-17) and two (25-20). The Bulldogs found their stride in the third, tying the match at 18-all late, but it would not be enough as Kentucky pulled away for the straight-sets victory.
“Tonight was a rough one for us against a solid Kentucky squad,” MSU coach David McFatrich said. “There were flashes of great play from us tonight, but we were not able to put it all together and be consistent. However, we have to learn from this match, get back in the gym and get better. This is the SEC so we can't dwell on this one. We have to move on to the next one.”
The match started off as a back-and-forth battle before an ace from the Wildcats pushed them up 13-8, forcing an MSU timeout. Kentucky would continue its run out of the timeout, pushing ahead 17-9. The Bulldogs would find a little bit of life behind an Alex Warren kill and a pair of State blocks, but UK would go on to earn set point.
Evie Grace Singleton would fire away her fourth and fifth kills of the frame to fight off two set points, but could not keep the rally going, as UK took the first set, 25-17.
The second frame started off much like the first, beginning with a tight battle before the Wildcats sparked a run midway through. State would call timeout down 13-10, but UK kept building on its run, going up 21-15. MSU would mount a late rally, pulling within four, but would come no closer. Up 23-19, the Wildcats took two of the next three to seal the second set, 25-20, and upping their match lead to 2-0.
MSU responded strong out of the intermission, jumping ahead with a flurry of early points out of the gates. Kentucky would fight back and throw the set into a tug-of-war until blocks from Warren and Jazmyne Johnson and a kill from Warren right after thrusted State into an 11-7 lead. The Wildcats would regroup and take back the lead, 13-12, continuing the back-and-forth battle. State would cut the lead to one off a block from Johnson and Chelsea Duhs, but UK answered with a strong attack, taking the set 25-20, and the match, 3-0.
Singleton led all players with 15 kills and 16.0 points, while also tacking on a service ace. Duhs followed closely with 11 kills, hitting .668 on the match and tallying no errors. Blossom Sato was tops in the match with 34 assists, pushing her past 500 assists on the year.
Warren and Johnson led MSU with three blocks apiece. Cheyenne Spell paced the Bulldogs with 11 digs, while Payton Harris was right behind with 10.
As a team, State allowed Kentucky to hit .306 on the night, marking only the second time this season the Bulldogs have allowed an opponent to hit about .300.
Kaz Brown was tops for the Wildcats with 12 kills. Darian Mack tacked on 11 for the night. Morgan Bergren led UK with 32 assists. Ashley Dusek paced the Wildcats with 13 digs, while Emily Franklin led all players with six blocks.
The Bulldogs will finally make their return to Newell-Grissom on Sunday, as they host South Carolina for an 11 a.m., CT showdown. The match will be broadcasted nationally on the SEC Network, MSU's fourth-straight match on national television.
For more information and updates on Mississippi State volleyball, fans can follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at HailStateVB.
