Friday, September 16
Starkville
12:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
Florida International
The Bulldogs return home to The Griss for the 2016 Maroon Classic, which begins Friday at 12 p.m. CT.
MSU Volleyball Returns Home For 2016 Maroon Classic
September 15, 2016 | Volleyball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Newell-Grissom is the site of Mississippi State volleyball's final weekend of non-conference play, as the Bulldogs return home to Starkville to host the 2016 Maroon Classic.
State will welcome Florida International, Troy, Eastern Illinois and Portland to The Griss this weekend. Over the next two days a total of nine matches will be played.
"We had a rough time last weekend, but this team has worked harder than ever in practice this week," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "They're ready to get back on the right track and there's no better place to do that than at The Griss."
Play begins Friday, Sept. 16 with a noon CT showdown against Florida International. Portland will take on Troy at 2 p.m. and Eastern Illinois will battle FIU at 5 p.m. The Bulldogs will host Troy at 7 p.m., to close out day one of play.
Day two will have an early start, as Troy and EIU battle at 10 a.m., followed by FIU and Portland at noon. MSU will play its first match of the day at 2 p.m., taking on Eastern Illinois. FIU and Troy will match up at 5 p.m., before the weekend closes out with the Bulldogs and Pilots at 7 p.m.
Of the four opponents coming to Starkville this weekend, one brings with them some familiar faces. Eastern Illinois is led by second-year head coach Sam Wolinski, who was a Bulldog assistant from 2013-14. Assisting her at EIU is Peter Green, who held the same position at State in 2014.
Leading the way for MSU is seniors Evie Grace Singleton and Jazmyne Johnson. Singleton leads the team with 155 kills, 19 aces and 179.0 points. Singleton's 19 aces are tops in the SEC and 13th nationally.
Johnson has been State's blocking leader through the first 10 matches, as her 44 total blocks stand second in the SEC and top 50 in the NCAA. Johnson's 44 blocks through the first 10 matches are the most since Ashley Newsome recorded 46 in the same stretch in 2008.
As a team, the Bulldogs have been more than impressive blocking. MSU totals 92.0 blocks through the first three weekends, the most in that stretch since State recorded 97.5 in 2002. This time last season the Dogs have earned just 71.0 blocks.
Junior Payton Harris continues to lead MSU in digs with 188, which is good for second in the conference and 35th in the NCAA. Harris has also made strides up the MSU record books, entering the weekend with 1,357 career digs, good for fifth all-time. She stands 14 away from fourth place.
The setting duo of Blossom Sato and Riley Duzenack have been solid entering the final weekend of non-conference play. Sato (221 assists) and Duzenack (220) have each recorded 20-plus assists in the last five matches.
Following the last weekend of non-conference play, the Bulldogs will open the 2016 SEC season on the road at Tennessee and Kentucky. MSU travels to Knoxville for a Friday, Sept. 23 showdown at 6 p.m. CT, while the Dogs and Wildcats battle it out in Lexington on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 12:30 p.m. Both matches will be broadcasted on the SEC Network +.
2016 Maroon Classic Schedule…
Friday, Sept. 16
Mississippi State vs. Florida International – 12 p.m.
Portland vs. Troy – 2 p.m.
Eastern Illinois vs. Florida International – 5 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Troy – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17
Troy vs. Eastern Illinois – 10 a.m.
Florida International vs. Portland – 12 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Eastern Illinois – 2 p.m.
Florida International vs. Troy – 5 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Portland – 7 p.m.
Last Time Out…
It was a rough weekend for the Bulldogs, as they took on three quality opponents at the Wildcat Classic in Manhattan, Kan. Facing all three foes for the first time in school history, the Bulldogs dropped two tightly-contested four-set matches and one five-set thriller.
Kansas State def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (25-16, 24-26, 28-26, 25-16)
Loyola-Chicago def. Mississippi State, 3-2 (25-19, 21-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-7)
Miami (FL) def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 25-21)
Familiar Faces Return To Starkville…
When the Eastern Illinois Panthers make the trip to Starkville this weekend, they will bring two coaches that are no strangers to the Maroon and White with them. EIU second-year head coach Sam Wolinski served as a Bulldog assistant from 2013-14, while EIU's assistant Peter Green was an assistant for State in 2014.
Scouting The Florida International Panthers…
FIU enters the weekend with a 4-5 record and is coming off a 2-1 showing last weekend in Jacksonville, Fla. The Panthers are led by Katie Hogan, the team's leader in kills (88), digs (73) and aces (14). Jennifer Ene leads FIU's blocking game with 35 total, while Mariana De Paula Silva is tops on the team with 195 assists.
Scouting The Trojans…
The Trojans will come into the Maroon Classic as the only team above .500 with a 6-5 record, having won three of their last four. Sara Landis leads the team with 108 kills. Reina Terry tops the team with 312 assists, while Alisha Hinrichs is Troy's leader in digs (122). Leah Causey leads the Trojans with 40 blocks, while Avalon Nero paces Troy with 14 aces.
Scouting The Eastern Illinois Panthers…
Eastern Illinois, who comes to Starkville with a 2-9 record, will look to rebound after losing its last three matches. Taylor Smith is the team's leader with 92 kills, 193 assists, 122 digs and 14 aces. Maggie Runge paces the Panthers with 54 blocks.
Scouting The Pilots…
The Portland Pilots are 4-5 heading into the Maroon Classic and are looking to bounce back from losing their last two matches. Hannah Troutman is the team leader in kills with 105, while Katie Sullivan paces the Pilots with 35 total blocks. Cali Thompson leads the way in assists (306) and aces (15), while Monica Gajda's 109 digs are a team best.
Leading The Bulldogs…
Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 155
Assists: Blossom Sato, 221
Aces: Evie Grace Singleton, 19
Digs: Payton Harris, 188
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 44
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 179.0
Harris Closing In On Digs Record…
Junior Payton Harris now stands at 1,357 digs for her career and continues to make strides up the MSU record book. She currently holds fifth place on the school's career digs list, passing Jennifer Shupe (1996-99) two weekends ago. She is now 14 digs away from tying Shauna Owens (1988-91) for fourth place. Melissa Kariker (1993-96) holds the school record with 1,707.
Blocking Becoming State's Calling Card…
MSU has excelled in a number of statistical categories this season, but none have been better than the Bulldogs' blocking game. State has tallied 10-plus blocks in three of its last four contests and have earned 92.0 total through the first three weekends of play. To compare, MSU had 71.0 total blocks through the first three weekends of 2015.
The 92.0 blocks are the most by an MSU team through the first three weekends of a season since tallying 97.5 blocks in 2002. Jazmyne Johnson leads the way with 44, which is the most by a Bulldog through the first 10 matches since Ashley Newsome recorded 46 in 2008.
Hill Quietly Putting Together Impressive Freshman Campaign…
Through three weekends, Emily Hill has put together one of the more impressive freshman campaigns this season. With 108 kills, Hill stands second amongst rookies in the SEC. She also put together one of her best weekends of the season, tallying 34 kills and 38.0 points, both tying the second weekend's Little Rock Invitational for her best non-conference tournament of 2016.
Live Broadcast…
All of MSU's matches will be broadcast online on SEC Network +. Fans can access the matches through WatchESPN.com or through clicking the links below.
MSU vs. FIU
MSU vs. Troy
MSU vs. Eastern Illinois
MSU vs. Portland
Live Stats…
MSU will provide live stats for all nine matches this weekend. Fans can access live stats by going to HailState.com/livestats or by clicking the link below.
Maroon Classic Live Stats
Admission…
All matches at Newell-Grissom this weekend, as well as the entire season, are free admission.
Promotions:
A list of this weekend's promotions are listed below.
Friday, Sept. 16
MSU vs. FIU (12 p.m.):
- "Elementary School Day"
- 5th grade students from Starkville Public School District will be in attendance
- Free Hail State Bracelets and Volleyball Education Packs for kids in attendance
- Appearance by Bully
- Teacher Dance Contest during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
MSU vs. Troy (7 p.m.):
- "Minute To Win It" during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
Saturday, Sept. 17
MSU vs. Eastern Illinois (2 p.m.):
- "Bully's Kids' Club Day"
- Inflatables outside of Newell-Grissom
- Chick-Fil-A giveaways and appearance by Bully
- "Minute To Win It" during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
MSU vs. Portland (7 p.m.):
- "International Student Night"
- Free t-shirts to the first 50 international students
- Supersize Serve contest during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
- Double Hail State Rewards points
SEC Play On Deck…
This weekend will mark the end of non-conference play for the 2016 season, as MSU will begin SEC play next weekend on the road. The Bulldogs will start conference play at Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. CT and at Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 12:30 p.m. Both matches will be broadcasted on SEC Network +. State's home SEC slate will begin on Friday, Sept. 30, as MSU hosts Auburn at 7 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."
State will welcome Florida International, Troy, Eastern Illinois and Portland to The Griss this weekend. Over the next two days a total of nine matches will be played.
"We had a rough time last weekend, but this team has worked harder than ever in practice this week," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "They're ready to get back on the right track and there's no better place to do that than at The Griss."
Play begins Friday, Sept. 16 with a noon CT showdown against Florida International. Portland will take on Troy at 2 p.m. and Eastern Illinois will battle FIU at 5 p.m. The Bulldogs will host Troy at 7 p.m., to close out day one of play.
Day two will have an early start, as Troy and EIU battle at 10 a.m., followed by FIU and Portland at noon. MSU will play its first match of the day at 2 p.m., taking on Eastern Illinois. FIU and Troy will match up at 5 p.m., before the weekend closes out with the Bulldogs and Pilots at 7 p.m.
Of the four opponents coming to Starkville this weekend, one brings with them some familiar faces. Eastern Illinois is led by second-year head coach Sam Wolinski, who was a Bulldog assistant from 2013-14. Assisting her at EIU is Peter Green, who held the same position at State in 2014.
Leading the way for MSU is seniors Evie Grace Singleton and Jazmyne Johnson. Singleton leads the team with 155 kills, 19 aces and 179.0 points. Singleton's 19 aces are tops in the SEC and 13th nationally.
Johnson has been State's blocking leader through the first 10 matches, as her 44 total blocks stand second in the SEC and top 50 in the NCAA. Johnson's 44 blocks through the first 10 matches are the most since Ashley Newsome recorded 46 in the same stretch in 2008.
As a team, the Bulldogs have been more than impressive blocking. MSU totals 92.0 blocks through the first three weekends, the most in that stretch since State recorded 97.5 in 2002. This time last season the Dogs have earned just 71.0 blocks.
Junior Payton Harris continues to lead MSU in digs with 188, which is good for second in the conference and 35th in the NCAA. Harris has also made strides up the MSU record books, entering the weekend with 1,357 career digs, good for fifth all-time. She stands 14 away from fourth place.
The setting duo of Blossom Sato and Riley Duzenack have been solid entering the final weekend of non-conference play. Sato (221 assists) and Duzenack (220) have each recorded 20-plus assists in the last five matches.
Following the last weekend of non-conference play, the Bulldogs will open the 2016 SEC season on the road at Tennessee and Kentucky. MSU travels to Knoxville for a Friday, Sept. 23 showdown at 6 p.m. CT, while the Dogs and Wildcats battle it out in Lexington on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 12:30 p.m. Both matches will be broadcasted on the SEC Network +.
2016 Maroon Classic Schedule…
Friday, Sept. 16
Mississippi State vs. Florida International – 12 p.m.
Portland vs. Troy – 2 p.m.
Eastern Illinois vs. Florida International – 5 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Troy – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17
Troy vs. Eastern Illinois – 10 a.m.
Florida International vs. Portland – 12 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Eastern Illinois – 2 p.m.
Florida International vs. Troy – 5 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Portland – 7 p.m.
Last Time Out…
It was a rough weekend for the Bulldogs, as they took on three quality opponents at the Wildcat Classic in Manhattan, Kan. Facing all three foes for the first time in school history, the Bulldogs dropped two tightly-contested four-set matches and one five-set thriller.
Kansas State def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (25-16, 24-26, 28-26, 25-16)
Loyola-Chicago def. Mississippi State, 3-2 (25-19, 21-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-7)
Miami (FL) def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 25-21)
Familiar Faces Return To Starkville…
When the Eastern Illinois Panthers make the trip to Starkville this weekend, they will bring two coaches that are no strangers to the Maroon and White with them. EIU second-year head coach Sam Wolinski served as a Bulldog assistant from 2013-14, while EIU's assistant Peter Green was an assistant for State in 2014.
Scouting The Florida International Panthers…
FIU enters the weekend with a 4-5 record and is coming off a 2-1 showing last weekend in Jacksonville, Fla. The Panthers are led by Katie Hogan, the team's leader in kills (88), digs (73) and aces (14). Jennifer Ene leads FIU's blocking game with 35 total, while Mariana De Paula Silva is tops on the team with 195 assists.
Scouting The Trojans…
The Trojans will come into the Maroon Classic as the only team above .500 with a 6-5 record, having won three of their last four. Sara Landis leads the team with 108 kills. Reina Terry tops the team with 312 assists, while Alisha Hinrichs is Troy's leader in digs (122). Leah Causey leads the Trojans with 40 blocks, while Avalon Nero paces Troy with 14 aces.
Scouting The Eastern Illinois Panthers…
Eastern Illinois, who comes to Starkville with a 2-9 record, will look to rebound after losing its last three matches. Taylor Smith is the team's leader with 92 kills, 193 assists, 122 digs and 14 aces. Maggie Runge paces the Panthers with 54 blocks.
Scouting The Pilots…
The Portland Pilots are 4-5 heading into the Maroon Classic and are looking to bounce back from losing their last two matches. Hannah Troutman is the team leader in kills with 105, while Katie Sullivan paces the Pilots with 35 total blocks. Cali Thompson leads the way in assists (306) and aces (15), while Monica Gajda's 109 digs are a team best.
Leading The Bulldogs…
Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 155
Assists: Blossom Sato, 221
Aces: Evie Grace Singleton, 19
Digs: Payton Harris, 188
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 44
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 179.0
Harris Closing In On Digs Record…
Junior Payton Harris now stands at 1,357 digs for her career and continues to make strides up the MSU record book. She currently holds fifth place on the school's career digs list, passing Jennifer Shupe (1996-99) two weekends ago. She is now 14 digs away from tying Shauna Owens (1988-91) for fourth place. Melissa Kariker (1993-96) holds the school record with 1,707.
Blocking Becoming State's Calling Card…
MSU has excelled in a number of statistical categories this season, but none have been better than the Bulldogs' blocking game. State has tallied 10-plus blocks in three of its last four contests and have earned 92.0 total through the first three weekends of play. To compare, MSU had 71.0 total blocks through the first three weekends of 2015.
The 92.0 blocks are the most by an MSU team through the first three weekends of a season since tallying 97.5 blocks in 2002. Jazmyne Johnson leads the way with 44, which is the most by a Bulldog through the first 10 matches since Ashley Newsome recorded 46 in 2008.
Hill Quietly Putting Together Impressive Freshman Campaign…
Through three weekends, Emily Hill has put together one of the more impressive freshman campaigns this season. With 108 kills, Hill stands second amongst rookies in the SEC. She also put together one of her best weekends of the season, tallying 34 kills and 38.0 points, both tying the second weekend's Little Rock Invitational for her best non-conference tournament of 2016.
Live Broadcast…
All of MSU's matches will be broadcast online on SEC Network +. Fans can access the matches through WatchESPN.com or through clicking the links below.
MSU vs. FIU
MSU vs. Troy
MSU vs. Eastern Illinois
MSU vs. Portland
Live Stats…
MSU will provide live stats for all nine matches this weekend. Fans can access live stats by going to HailState.com/livestats or by clicking the link below.
Maroon Classic Live Stats
Admission…
All matches at Newell-Grissom this weekend, as well as the entire season, are free admission.
Promotions:
A list of this weekend's promotions are listed below.
Friday, Sept. 16
MSU vs. FIU (12 p.m.):
- "Elementary School Day"
- 5th grade students from Starkville Public School District will be in attendance
- Free Hail State Bracelets and Volleyball Education Packs for kids in attendance
- Appearance by Bully
- Teacher Dance Contest during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
MSU vs. Troy (7 p.m.):
- "Minute To Win It" during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
Saturday, Sept. 17
MSU vs. Eastern Illinois (2 p.m.):
- "Bully's Kids' Club Day"
- Inflatables outside of Newell-Grissom
- Chick-Fil-A giveaways and appearance by Bully
- "Minute To Win It" during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
MSU vs. Portland (7 p.m.):
- "International Student Night"
- Free t-shirts to the first 50 international students
- Supersize Serve contest during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
- Double Hail State Rewards points
SEC Play On Deck…
This weekend will mark the end of non-conference play for the 2016 season, as MSU will begin SEC play next weekend on the road. The Bulldogs will start conference play at Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. CT and at Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 12:30 p.m. Both matches will be broadcasted on SEC Network +. State's home SEC slate will begin on Friday, Sept. 30, as MSU hosts Auburn at 7 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
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/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
RS/MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
OH
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