Sunday, October 23
Starkville
2:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
Tennessee
David McFatrich and the Bulldogs will look to snap a four-match losing streak on Sunday against Tennessee at 2 p.m. CT (ESPNU).
Bulldogs Return To The Griss, Host Tennessee On ESPNU
October 22, 2016 | Volleyball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – After spending the last two weeks on the road, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-11, 3-5 SEC) return home to Newell-Grissom to host the Tennessee Volunteers (13-7, 3-4 SEC) in a Sunday afternoon ESPNU matchup.
First serve for MSU's fourth national TV match of the year is set for 2 p.m. CT, with Melissa Lee and Jennifer Hoffman on the call. Fans can also access the match online at www.WatchESPN.com or on their phones/tablets with the ESPN app.
As always, admission to The Griss is free for all fans. Sunday is Residence Life Day, as the Bulldogs invite all MSU students living on campus to come out, cheer on MSU and have the chance to win a number of prizes throughout the match.
Sunday's contest is the final one this year between the Bulldogs and Vols, with State taking the first meeting 3-0 in Knoxville. The victory was the first for MSU in an SEC opener since 2006 and sets the Dogs up for a chance to sweep a season series against UT for the fourth time in program history and first since 2013.
"We're excited to get back home and play in front of our fans. It's been a couple weeks away from The Griss and this is just what we need right now," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "We've struggled here of late, but this team is as tough as they come and they're ready to get out there tomorrow and get us back on track. We know that Tennessee is always a tough team to play, but I also know this team will be ready to roll when we take the court tomorrow."
Leading the Dogs into Sunday is the trio of Evie Grace Singleton, Emily Hill and Jazmyne Johnson. Singleton has captained the MSU offense in 2016, putting together one of the best offensive campaigns in the SEC this year. The senior leads State with 344 kills, 3.91 kills per set, 40 aces and 401.0 points. She stands top five in the SEC in all four categories.
Hill has been MSU's other powerful force on the offensive side of the ball, standing second both on the team and amongst all SEC freshmen with 261 kills. The Denton, Texas native has also made her presence felt in annals of MSU history, as her 261 kills stands as the seventh-most by a Bulldog freshman, while her 684 attacks come in as the eighth most.
Switching to the defensive side of the ball, there is no doubt that senior Jazmyne Johnson has been MSU's leader this season. Her 102 blocks lead the team and stand second in the SEC, while her 1.17 blocks per set are eighth-most in the league. Johnson reached the 100-block mark last weekend at Auburn, becoming the first Bulldog to do so since Lainey Wyman in 2011.
Johnson's defensive prowess is the key behind what has been one of the best blocking seasons in Mississippi State history. The Dogs have accumulated 192.5 total denials this season, which is tops in the SEC. They have also tallied nine match this year with 10-plus blocks, the most since earning nine in 2011.
Rounding out the MSU lineup is sophomore setter Blossom Sato and senior libero Cheyenne Spell. Sato paces the team with 629 assists, while Spell is the team's digs leader with 272 through the first 22 matches of the year.
The Bulldogs will get back on the road after Sunday's match. State will start the week with a Wednesday night contest in Fayetteville, taking on the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-17, 1-7 SEC) at 7 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. MSU will finish with a Sunday, Oct. 30 contest at Missouri (17-3, 8-0 SEC), set for 1:30 p.m. on SEC Network +.
Match Day Info…
Sunday, Oct. 23
Mississippi State (11-11, 3-5 SEC) vs. Tennessee (13-7, 3-4 SEC) – 2 p.m. CT
ESPNU (Melissa Lee & Jennifer Hoffman)
Starkville, Miss.
Newell-Grissom Building
Last Time Out…
Closing out a three-match road trip, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-11, 3-5 SEC) fell in three sets to the No. 10 Florida Gators (17-2, 7-1 SEC) on Friday night in Gainesville.
Friday, Oct. 21
No. 10 Florida def. Mississippi State, 3-0 (25-12, 25-13, 25-17)
Leading The Bulldogs…
Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 344
Assists: Blossom Sato, 629
Aces: Evie Grace Singleton, 40
Digs: Cheyenne Spell, 272
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 102
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 401.0
A Bulldog Win Would…
Series History…
Overall: Tennessee leads, 43-12
In Starkville: Tennessee leads, 18-4
Last Meeting: Mississippi State 3, Tennessee 0 (Sept. 23, 2016 in Knoxville)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +1
Scouting The Tennessee Volunteers…
Tennessee is coming in with back-to-back wins, defeating Ole Miss and Arkansas at home. On the season the Vols are 13-7 with a 3-4 mark in SEC play.
Tessa Grubbs (226) and Bri Holmes (208) lead the Vols in the kills category. Sedona Hansen is the team's leader with 718 assists, while Bridgette Villano and Kelsey Bawcombe top the team with 15 aces each. Raina Hembry is tops in blocks with 68, while Villano (197) and Brooke Schumacher (195) pace the Vols in digs.
Bulldogs Look For Season Sweep Of The Vols ...
Should the Dogs come out victorious on Sunday, it would mark a season sweep of their foes from Tennessee. MSU took the first match of the season, 3-0, in Knoxville. It would mark the first season sweep of the Vols since 2013 and only the fourth in program history.
Magic Number Down To Six…
The countdown to a second-straight winning season is on for the Bulldogs. MSU's magic number is down to six for a winning season, which would put the Dogs at 17 wins for the year. It would mark the second-straight winning season for just the third time in school history and for the first since 2005-06.
Nine more wins would put MSU at 20 wins on the year, the first time that feat has been accomplished since 1989. It would also be just the fourth time in program history the Dogs have won 20 matches.
Winning The Attacking Battle Is Crucial ...
To say coming out on top in the hitting percentage battle is key for the Bulldogs may be an understatement. MSU is undefeated this year when out-hitting its opponent and is 1-11 when losing the attacking battle. MSU took down Tennessee in its SEC opener for its first win when losing the attacking battle, hitting .204 to the Volunteers' .278.
The First Set Is The Key ...
One early trend discovered with the 2016 Bulldogs lies within the first set. State is 9-3 when capturing the first set, but when 2-8 when unable to do so. Winning the first two sets almost assures the Bulldogs of victory, as they are 7-1 this year when doing so.
State Bringing Blocking Back In Style ...
MSU has excelled in a number of statistical categories this season, but none have been better than the Bulldogs' blocking game. State has tallied nine double-digit block performances this season so far and have earned 192.5 total. The nine matches with 10-plus blocks are the most in a season since recording nine in 2011.
Johnson Top On The Block ...
Senior Jazmyne Johnson has been a stud so far this year defensively, leading MSU's blocking presence with 102 total. She is the first Bulldog since Lainey Wyman in 2011 to record 100 total blocks in a season.
Hill Putting Together Impressive Freshman Campaign…
Through 22 matches, Emily Hill has put together one of the more impressive freshman campaigns this season. With 261 kills, Hill is second amongst all freshmen in the SEC. She now has the seventh-most kills in a season by an MSU freshman and the eighth-most attacks (684).
Sato Cracks Career Assists Top 10…
She's just a sophomore, but already making moves in the MSU record book. After earning 13 assists on Friday, Blossom Sato moved her career total to 1,501. She stands 27 away from tying for ninth place.
Live Broadcast…
Sunday's match will be nationally televised on ESPNU. Fans can also access the broadcast online through WatchESPN.com, the ESPN app or by clicking the link below.
Mississippi State vs. Tennessee ESPNU/WatchESPN Broadcast
Live Stats…
Mississippi State will provide live stats for Sunday afternoon's contest. Fans can access them through the link below.
Mississippi State vs. Tennessee Live Stats
Admission…
Fans get into all home Mississippi State volleyball matches at Newell-Grissom for free during the 2016 season.
Promotions…
- Residence Life Day: The winning Res Life Hall will receive an ice cream social with
the team
- MSU Pom Squad and the Famous Maroon Band will perform
- Maroon Memories offered: www.HailState.com/memories
- Giveaways and contests throughout the match
Up Next…
State will hit the road yet again after a short stay at home. The Dogs will start the week with a Wednesday night contest in Fayetteville, taking on Arkansas (3-17, 1-7 SEC) at 7 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. MSU will close out the week with a Sunday, Oct. 30 contest at Missouri (17-3, 8-0 SEC), set for 1:30 p.m. 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."
First serve for MSU's fourth national TV match of the year is set for 2 p.m. CT, with Melissa Lee and Jennifer Hoffman on the call. Fans can also access the match online at www.WatchESPN.com or on their phones/tablets with the ESPN app.
As always, admission to The Griss is free for all fans. Sunday is Residence Life Day, as the Bulldogs invite all MSU students living on campus to come out, cheer on MSU and have the chance to win a number of prizes throughout the match.
Sunday's contest is the final one this year between the Bulldogs and Vols, with State taking the first meeting 3-0 in Knoxville. The victory was the first for MSU in an SEC opener since 2006 and sets the Dogs up for a chance to sweep a season series against UT for the fourth time in program history and first since 2013.
"We're excited to get back home and play in front of our fans. It's been a couple weeks away from The Griss and this is just what we need right now," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "We've struggled here of late, but this team is as tough as they come and they're ready to get out there tomorrow and get us back on track. We know that Tennessee is always a tough team to play, but I also know this team will be ready to roll when we take the court tomorrow."
Leading the Dogs into Sunday is the trio of Evie Grace Singleton, Emily Hill and Jazmyne Johnson. Singleton has captained the MSU offense in 2016, putting together one of the best offensive campaigns in the SEC this year. The senior leads State with 344 kills, 3.91 kills per set, 40 aces and 401.0 points. She stands top five in the SEC in all four categories.
Hill has been MSU's other powerful force on the offensive side of the ball, standing second both on the team and amongst all SEC freshmen with 261 kills. The Denton, Texas native has also made her presence felt in annals of MSU history, as her 261 kills stands as the seventh-most by a Bulldog freshman, while her 684 attacks come in as the eighth most.
Switching to the defensive side of the ball, there is no doubt that senior Jazmyne Johnson has been MSU's leader this season. Her 102 blocks lead the team and stand second in the SEC, while her 1.17 blocks per set are eighth-most in the league. Johnson reached the 100-block mark last weekend at Auburn, becoming the first Bulldog to do so since Lainey Wyman in 2011.
Johnson's defensive prowess is the key behind what has been one of the best blocking seasons in Mississippi State history. The Dogs have accumulated 192.5 total denials this season, which is tops in the SEC. They have also tallied nine match this year with 10-plus blocks, the most since earning nine in 2011.
Rounding out the MSU lineup is sophomore setter Blossom Sato and senior libero Cheyenne Spell. Sato paces the team with 629 assists, while Spell is the team's digs leader with 272 through the first 22 matches of the year.
The Bulldogs will get back on the road after Sunday's match. State will start the week with a Wednesday night contest in Fayetteville, taking on the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-17, 1-7 SEC) at 7 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. MSU will finish with a Sunday, Oct. 30 contest at Missouri (17-3, 8-0 SEC), set for 1:30 p.m. on SEC Network +.
Match Day Info…
Sunday, Oct. 23
Mississippi State (11-11, 3-5 SEC) vs. Tennessee (13-7, 3-4 SEC) – 2 p.m. CT
ESPNU (Melissa Lee & Jennifer Hoffman)
Starkville, Miss.
Newell-Grissom Building
Last Time Out…
Closing out a three-match road trip, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-11, 3-5 SEC) fell in three sets to the No. 10 Florida Gators (17-2, 7-1 SEC) on Friday night in Gainesville.
Friday, Oct. 21
No. 10 Florida def. Mississippi State, 3-0 (25-12, 25-13, 25-17)
Leading The Bulldogs…
Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 344
Assists: Blossom Sato, 629
Aces: Evie Grace Singleton, 40
Digs: Cheyenne Spell, 272
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 102
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 401.0
A Bulldog Win Would…
- Give the Dogs a season sweep of Tennessee for the first time since 2013 and the fourth time in history
- Snap a four-match losing streak
- Be MSU's third win in the last four home meetings with Tennessee
- Tie for ninth for most SEC wins in a season (4)
- Put them five wins away from securing their second-straight winning season for the third time in school history and first since 2005-06
Series History…
Overall: Tennessee leads, 43-12
In Starkville: Tennessee leads, 18-4
Last Meeting: Mississippi State 3, Tennessee 0 (Sept. 23, 2016 in Knoxville)
Current Streak: Mississippi State, +1
Scouting The Tennessee Volunteers…
Tennessee is coming in with back-to-back wins, defeating Ole Miss and Arkansas at home. On the season the Vols are 13-7 with a 3-4 mark in SEC play.
Tessa Grubbs (226) and Bri Holmes (208) lead the Vols in the kills category. Sedona Hansen is the team's leader with 718 assists, while Bridgette Villano and Kelsey Bawcombe top the team with 15 aces each. Raina Hembry is tops in blocks with 68, while Villano (197) and Brooke Schumacher (195) pace the Vols in digs.
Bulldogs Look For Season Sweep Of The Vols ...
Should the Dogs come out victorious on Sunday, it would mark a season sweep of their foes from Tennessee. MSU took the first match of the season, 3-0, in Knoxville. It would mark the first season sweep of the Vols since 2013 and only the fourth in program history.
Magic Number Down To Six…
The countdown to a second-straight winning season is on for the Bulldogs. MSU's magic number is down to six for a winning season, which would put the Dogs at 17 wins for the year. It would mark the second-straight winning season for just the third time in school history and for the first since 2005-06.
Nine more wins would put MSU at 20 wins on the year, the first time that feat has been accomplished since 1989. It would also be just the fourth time in program history the Dogs have won 20 matches.
Winning The Attacking Battle Is Crucial ...
To say coming out on top in the hitting percentage battle is key for the Bulldogs may be an understatement. MSU is undefeated this year when out-hitting its opponent and is 1-11 when losing the attacking battle. MSU took down Tennessee in its SEC opener for its first win when losing the attacking battle, hitting .204 to the Volunteers' .278.
The First Set Is The Key ...
One early trend discovered with the 2016 Bulldogs lies within the first set. State is 9-3 when capturing the first set, but when 2-8 when unable to do so. Winning the first two sets almost assures the Bulldogs of victory, as they are 7-1 this year when doing so.
State Bringing Blocking Back In Style ...
MSU has excelled in a number of statistical categories this season, but none have been better than the Bulldogs' blocking game. State has tallied nine double-digit block performances this season so far and have earned 192.5 total. The nine matches with 10-plus blocks are the most in a season since recording nine in 2011.
Johnson Top On The Block ...
Senior Jazmyne Johnson has been a stud so far this year defensively, leading MSU's blocking presence with 102 total. She is the first Bulldog since Lainey Wyman in 2011 to record 100 total blocks in a season.
Hill Putting Together Impressive Freshman Campaign…
Through 22 matches, Emily Hill has put together one of the more impressive freshman campaigns this season. With 261 kills, Hill is second amongst all freshmen in the SEC. She now has the seventh-most kills in a season by an MSU freshman and the eighth-most attacks (684).
Sato Cracks Career Assists Top 10…
She's just a sophomore, but already making moves in the MSU record book. After earning 13 assists on Friday, Blossom Sato moved her career total to 1,501. She stands 27 away from tying for ninth place.
Live Broadcast…
Sunday's match will be nationally televised on ESPNU. Fans can also access the broadcast online through WatchESPN.com, the ESPN app or by clicking the link below.
Mississippi State vs. Tennessee ESPNU/WatchESPN Broadcast
Live Stats…
Mississippi State will provide live stats for Sunday afternoon's contest. Fans can access them through the link below.
Mississippi State vs. Tennessee Live Stats
Admission…
Fans get into all home Mississippi State volleyball matches at Newell-Grissom for free during the 2016 season.
Promotions…
- Residence Life Day: The winning Res Life Hall will receive an ice cream social with
the team
- MSU Pom Squad and the Famous Maroon Band will perform
- Maroon Memories offered: www.HailState.com/memories
- Giveaways and contests throughout the match
Up Next…
State will hit the road yet again after a short stay at home. The Dogs will start the week with a Wednesday night contest in Fayetteville, taking on Arkansas (3-17, 1-7 SEC) at 7 p.m. CT on the SEC Network. MSU will close out the week with a Sunday, Oct. 30 contest at Missouri (17-3, 8-0 SEC), set for 1:30 p.m. 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."
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
RS/MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
L/DS
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