Bulldog Volleyball Drops Five-Set Thriller At Auburn

Sunday, October 16

Auburn, Ala.

12:00 PM

Mississippi State

11-10, 3-4

Auburn

11-10, 5-3

Mississippi State

Auburn

Riley Duzenack recorded a career-high 5 aces on Sunday against the Auburn Tigers.

Bulldog Volleyball Drops Five-Set Thriller At Auburn

October 16, 2016 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score Box Score (PDF)

AUBURN, Ala. – In a pivotal Southeastern Conference showdown, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-10, 3-4 SEC) fell five-set heartbreaker on Sunday against the Auburn Tigers (11-10, 5-3 SEC).

The Dogs continued their three-match road trip at Auburn Arena, where the two teams put on one of the more entertaining matches of the 2016 season. Despite receiving dominating performances from Evie Grace Singleton (match-high 23 kills), Emily Hill (18 kills) Riley Duzenack (5 aces) and Jazmyne Johnson (6 blocks), the Bulldogs were unable to survive a total of 56 errors, including 39 attacking errors. State fell victim to its own mistakes, especially in the third and fifth sets, where they matched their total kills with attack errors.

"That was a tough one to lose, especially when you look at how many points we gave up with errors," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "It's tough to win on the road in the SEC when you commit that many errors and that is something we are going to have to work at in the next week. Between that and not clicking across the board, we had a tough time out there. However, we have a big chance to rebound next weekend and we're focused on getting ready for those matches."

It was an evenly-matched contest to start, as neither side was able to gain a firm advantage early on. Auburn then busted open the match and pushed ahead by seven, looking poised to take the opening set. Down 18-11, the Dogs made a 7-0 run to tie things up and eventually took the lead late, even holding set point at 24-23. However, the Tigers used a kill and a pair of MSU errors to take the first frame, 26-24.

Sunday's second set would go in favor of the Bulldogs, as State would push ahead by as much as four and fend off a late Tiger rally to even the match at 1-1. Highlighting MSU's 25-23 second-set win was a .351 hitting percentage by the team, led by 5 kills from Jelena Vujcin and 4 from Singleton.

Errors came into play for State in the third set, as its 14 attacking misfires would cancel out its 14 kills. The Tigers combined 10 kills with 6 blocks to keep State at bay, fighting off a late 6-0 MSU run to take the third set, 25-22. AU seemed poised to take the fourth set and the match, but the Bulldogs rallied from down five to push ahead late and take the set, 25-23. Key to State's fourth-set success were 8 kills from Singleton and 7 from Hill.

The fifth began strongly in the home team's favor, as Auburn opened up with a 6-2 lead. State would draw within two several times, even forcing a Tiger timeout at 10-8. However, the Maroon and White would come no closer, as the home team took five of the last eight points to win 15-11 and secure the 3-2 victory.

Singleton's 23 kills led all players and marked her sixth match of the year with at least 20 kills. Hill's 18 kills tie for her second-highest output of the season, while Duzenack set a career-high with her 5 aces. That stands as the most by a Bulldog this season and the most aces in a match since Alex Warren recorded 7 against Georgia last season.

Johnson led State's blocking performance with 6 total denials on the day, moving her season total to 100 and just 13 away from cracking the MSU Top 10 for blocks in a season.

Blossom Sato recorded her fifth 40-plus assist match in the last six contests with 44 on the day and is now 40 away from tying for ninth on the MSU career assists list.

The Bulldogs will now turn their focus to the No. 9 Florida Gators, as State heads to Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Oct. 21. The final match of MSU's road trip is set for a 6 p.m. CT start on SEC Network +.

Week Schedule…
Wednesday, Oct. 12
Alabama def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-21)

Sunday, Oct. 16
Auburn def. Mississippi State, 3-2 (26-24, 23-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-11)

Leading The Bulldogs…

Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 23
Assists: Blossom Sato, 44
Aces: Riley Duzenack, 5
Digs: Cheyenne Spell, 17
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 6
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 25.5

Dogs Are 50/50 In Five Setters…
When Mississippi State enters the fifth set, it has been a toss up so far this season on the result. Sunday's loss dropped the Dogs' record to 4-4 in five-set matches, including a 1-1 showing in SEC five setters.

Duzenack Stars From The Service Line…
The Bulldogs have been known all season for tough serving and freshman Riley Duzenack led yet another strong showing on Sunday. Duzenack earned a career-high 5 aces against the Tigers, which is a match high for any Bulldog this season. She is the first Bulldog to record a 5-ace match since Alex Warren had 7 service aces last year at Georgia.

As a team, MSU recorded 9 aces, the most since tallying 10 against Loyola-Chicago on Sept. 9.

Singleton With Another Strong Offensive Showing…
Senior Evie Grace Singleton turned in her sixth 20-plus kill performance of the season, as her 23 led MSU against the Tigers. She has now turned in double-digit kills in the last nine matches and has tallied back-to-back 20-plus kill matches for the first time since Sept. 2-3.

Sato Tallies Another 40-Assist Match…
Another match, another 40-assist showing for sophomore Blossom Sato. With 44 on Sunday afternoon, Sato has now recorded 40-plus assists in five of the last six matches.

Hill Impresses On The Attack…
Freshman Emily Hill got back to being a dominant force on the offensive side of the ball, recording 18 kills against Auburn. The 18 tie for the second most in a match this season and mark her highest total since recording 24 against Auburn on Sept. 30. The Denton, Texas native also tied a career high with 1 ace and tallied 3 blocks.

Record Watch: Blossom Sato…
With 44 assists this afternoon, Sato now has 1,488 career assists and stands 10^th on the MSU career assists list. She is just 40 assists away from tying for ninth place.

Record Watch: Payton Harris…
Junior Payton Harris now stands at 1,416 digs for her career and continues to make strides up the MSU record book. She currently holds fourth place on the school's career digs list and is 17 short of tying for third place. Melissa Kariker (1993-96) holds the school record with 1,707.

Johnson Closing In On Blocking Top 10…
Jazmyne Johnson once again led the way for MSU's blocking presence, as her 6 total blocks spearheaded State's ninth double-digit block match of the year. The senior, who has tallied 10 matches with at least 5 blocks in 2016, is now just 13 away from cracking the MSU Top 10 for blocks in a season.

Up Next…
A three-match road trip for the Bulldogs will wrap up on Friday, Oct. 21 at No. 9 Florida. First serve is set for 6 p.m. CT, with the match being broadcasted on SEC Network +.

Social Media…
For more information on Mississippi State volleyball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateVB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."