Mississippi State
14-14 (3-11)SEC
Texas A&M
19-6 (12-2)SEC
Bulldogs Drop 3-0 Decision To Texas A&M
November 15, 2015 | Volleyball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Closing out a three-match homestand, the Mississippi State volleyball Bulldogs (14-14, 3-11 SEC) dropped a 3-0 contest to the SEC-leading Texas A&M Aggies (19-6, 12-2 SEC) on Sunday, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21.
Evie Grace Singleton led the way for State, as she earned a match-high 16 kills on 34 attempts (.206). The junior collected at least 5 kills in each set to pace MSU's offense, but it would not be enough to take down the Aggies. State held the lead several times and jumped out by as much as five in the second, but could not hold on to the lead, succumbing to A&M's attack that landed 42 kills with a .344 attack percentage.
“It's always tough when you face one of the best teams in the conference,” MSU coach David McFatrich said. “You have to play at the top of your game and we didn't do that from start to finish. We're in a rough stretch right now, but we're committed to the entire season. Our goal is still to get better every time we step on the court and that will be goal until the final point is played this year.”
State kept it close in the opening stages of the first set, including jumping ahead twice at 3-2 and 4-3. A 5-0 A&M run created distance for the visitors early before MSU drew within one several times midway through the set. Play remained close until the Aggies claimed six of the last nine points to close the set, 25-21.
The second set saw the Bulldogs jump ahead by as much as five at 8-3 before the Aggies fought their way back into the match. The set features four ties and three total lead changes and shaped up to be a photo finish before A&M scored 11 of the last 15 points to close the set, 25-19.
MSU tried to make its comeback in the third behind nine total kills from Singleton and Warren. However, a series of runs midway through the set put the SEC leaders up for good, advancing them to a 25-21 set win and a sweep of the Bulldogs.
State's setting duo of Blossom Sato and Shelby Anderton combined for 35 assists, with Sato leading the way with 21. Warren was MSU's leading blocker with 3 denials, while Payton Harris tallied 9 digs. With those nine, Harris has now cracked the top 10 list for career digs at State. She currently has 1,112 digs and is now 70 away from moving into ninth place on the list.
Jazzmin Babers led the Aggies with 10 kills and 7 blocks, while Stephanie Aiple was the match leader with 33 assists. Amy Nettles topped A&M with 10 digs.
MSU will now hit the road for the final time this year, traveling to South Carolina and Georgia next weekend. The Bulldogs and Gamecocks faceoff Friday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network +. MSU and UGA battle that Sunday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m., on the SEC Network.
For more information and updates on Mississippi State volleyball, fans can follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at HailStateVB.
