Friday, September 30
Starkville
7:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
Auburn
The Bulldogs open up home SEC play on Friday, hosting the Auburn Tigers at 7 p.m. CT.
Dogs Open Home SEC Play At The Griss Against Auburn
September 29, 2016 | Volleyball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – After a solid start to Southeastern Conference play last weekend on the road, it's home sweet home for Mississippi State, as they return to Newell-Grissom to open up home SEC play on Friday night.
The Bulldogs (9-7, 1-1 SEC) open up their home portion of league play by hosting the Auburn Tigers (7-8, 1-1 SEC) on Friday, Sept. 30. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, with the match being broadcast on SEC Network +. Bart Gregory and Blake DuDonis will have the call and fans can access the broadcast at WatchESPN.com or the ESPN app.
State returns to The Griss after splitting a pair of matches last weekend at Tennessee and Kentucky. The Dogs went into Knoxville and came out with a 3-0 victory, marking their first SEC opener win since 2006. It was also MSU's second-straight win in Knoxville against UT, the first time that feat has been accomplished since 1994-95.
The weekend ended with a hard-fought loss at Kentucky, where the Wildcats took a 3-1 decision. Despite falling, MSU recorded its first set win against UK since 2001 and the first in Lexington since 2007.
"Last weekend was a great start for our club, sweeping Tennessee and going toe-to-toe with a tough Kentucky team," coach David McFatrich said. "I think these girls learned a lot and improved greatly. Now we're back at home and ready to get two more wins in the SEC."
A major key to MSU's success has been the play of its big three on the offensive end: Evie Grace Singleton, Emily Hill and Jelena Vujcin. The three are tops in kills and points for the Dogs and have all recorded double-digit kills in the last three matches.
Singleton has also been a standout from the service line, as her 28 aces stand second in the SEC and eighth nationally.
Assisting the Bulldog attack has been the play of Blossom Sato, who paces MSU with 409 assists. She has also recorded double-doubles in two of her last three matches.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Maroon and White's Jazmyne Johnson has been the star of the show, leading an impressive blocking presence in 2016. Johnson leads the team with 73 blocks, which is the most through the first 16 matches since Ashley Newsome tallied 74 in 2010. As a team the Dogs have recorded 143.5 blocks, which is the most this far into the season since the 2002 squad tallied 144.0.
Commanding the back row has been senior Cheyenne Spell, who has started the last four matches at libero for MSU. Spell has 172 digs on the season, which is second on the team.
"Our team is starting to get better the further we go into SEC play and that provides us with the perfect opportunity to get some crucial wins, starting with this weekend at home," McFatrich said. "Our girls know what it takes to win in the SEC and I expect them to come out aggressive and ready to roll on Friday."
The Bulldogs will remain at home after Friday's match to host the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday, Oct. 2. First serve is set for 3 p.m. CT at Newell-Grissom on the SEC Network. The contest will be State's first nationally-televised match of 2016.
Weekend Schedule…
Friday, Sept. 23
Mississippi State vs. Auburn – 7:00 p.m. CT (SEC Network +)
Sunday, Sept. 25
Mississippi State vs. Alabama – 3:00 p.m. CT (SEC Network)
Last Time Out…
The Bulldogs split a pair of matches to open up the 2016 SEC slate last weekend. MSU downed Tennessee in straight sets on Friday night in Knoxville, winning an SEC opener for the first time since 2006. The Dogs then traveled to Lexington to face the Kentucky Wildcats and pushed the match to four sets, but fell in a heartbreaker, 3-1.
Friday, Sept. 23
Mississippi State def. Tennessee, 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-22)
Sunday, Sept. 25
Kentucky def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-14, 26-24)
Bulldogs Host Auburn To Open Home SEC Play…
The Bulldogs open home SEC play for the 2016 season against the Auburn Tigers on Friday at 7 p.m. CT on SEC Network +. The Tigers lead the overall series 37-20, while holding a 15-11 advantage in Starkville. AU has won the last six meetings, including a
3-2 win last year at MSU.
A Bulldog Win Would…
Scouting The Auburn Tigers…
Auburn enters the weekend with a 7-8 record and standing 1-1 in SEC play. The Tigers started last weekend off with a 3-2 win against LSU at home before falling in straight sets at Texas A&M.
Brenna McIlroy leads Auburn with 186 kills and 216.5 points, while Breanna Barksdale tops the team with 38 blocks. Alex Filley paces AU with 559 assists and Jesse Earl has a team-best 302 digs and 21 aces.
Leading The Bulldogs…
Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 249
Assists: Blossom Sato, 409
Aces: Evie Grace Singleton, 28
Digs: Payton Harris, 206
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 73
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 289.5
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 1-7 when losing the attacking battle. MSU took down Tennessee on Friday 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 8-2 when capturing the first set, but when 1-5 when unable to do so. Winning the first two sets almost assures the Bulldogs of victory, as they are 6-1 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 seven double-digit block performances this season so far and have earned 143.5 total through the first 16 matches of play. It is the most blocks through the first 16 contests of a season since recording 144.0 in 2002.
Live Broadcast…
Friday's match will be broadcasted on the SEC Network +. Fans can access the broadcast through WatchESPN.com or by clicking the link below.
Mississippi State vs. Auburn SECN+ Broadcast
Live Stats…
Mississippi State will provide live stats for Friday night's contest. Fans can access them through the link below.
Mississippi State vs. Auburn Live Stats
Admission…
Fans get into all home Mississippi State volleyball matches at Newell-Grissom for free during the 2016 season.
Promotions…
- FREE admission for all
- Faculty/Staff Appreciation: FREE t-shirts for the 1st 50 faculty/staff
- Contests & MSU prizes given away during breaks
- Mini volleyball toss during intros
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."
The Bulldogs (9-7, 1-1 SEC) open up their home portion of league play by hosting the Auburn Tigers (7-8, 1-1 SEC) on Friday, Sept. 30. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, with the match being broadcast on SEC Network +. Bart Gregory and Blake DuDonis will have the call and fans can access the broadcast at WatchESPN.com or the ESPN app.
State returns to The Griss after splitting a pair of matches last weekend at Tennessee and Kentucky. The Dogs went into Knoxville and came out with a 3-0 victory, marking their first SEC opener win since 2006. It was also MSU's second-straight win in Knoxville against UT, the first time that feat has been accomplished since 1994-95.
The weekend ended with a hard-fought loss at Kentucky, where the Wildcats took a 3-1 decision. Despite falling, MSU recorded its first set win against UK since 2001 and the first in Lexington since 2007.
"Last weekend was a great start for our club, sweeping Tennessee and going toe-to-toe with a tough Kentucky team," coach David McFatrich said. "I think these girls learned a lot and improved greatly. Now we're back at home and ready to get two more wins in the SEC."
A major key to MSU's success has been the play of its big three on the offensive end: Evie Grace Singleton, Emily Hill and Jelena Vujcin. The three are tops in kills and points for the Dogs and have all recorded double-digit kills in the last three matches.
Singleton has also been a standout from the service line, as her 28 aces stand second in the SEC and eighth nationally.
Assisting the Bulldog attack has been the play of Blossom Sato, who paces MSU with 409 assists. She has also recorded double-doubles in two of her last three matches.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Maroon and White's Jazmyne Johnson has been the star of the show, leading an impressive blocking presence in 2016. Johnson leads the team with 73 blocks, which is the most through the first 16 matches since Ashley Newsome tallied 74 in 2010. As a team the Dogs have recorded 143.5 blocks, which is the most this far into the season since the 2002 squad tallied 144.0.
Commanding the back row has been senior Cheyenne Spell, who has started the last four matches at libero for MSU. Spell has 172 digs on the season, which is second on the team.
"Our team is starting to get better the further we go into SEC play and that provides us with the perfect opportunity to get some crucial wins, starting with this weekend at home," McFatrich said. "Our girls know what it takes to win in the SEC and I expect them to come out aggressive and ready to roll on Friday."
The Bulldogs will remain at home after Friday's match to host the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday, Oct. 2. First serve is set for 3 p.m. CT at Newell-Grissom on the SEC Network. The contest will be State's first nationally-televised match of 2016.
Weekend Schedule…
Friday, Sept. 23
Mississippi State vs. Auburn – 7:00 p.m. CT (SEC Network +)
Sunday, Sept. 25
Mississippi State vs. Alabama – 3:00 p.m. CT (SEC Network)
Last Time Out…
The Bulldogs split a pair of matches to open up the 2016 SEC slate last weekend. MSU downed Tennessee in straight sets on Friday night in Knoxville, winning an SEC opener for the first time since 2006. The Dogs then traveled to Lexington to face the Kentucky Wildcats and pushed the match to four sets, but fell in a heartbreaker, 3-1.
Friday, Sept. 23
Mississippi State def. Tennessee, 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-22)
Sunday, Sept. 25
Kentucky def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-14, 26-24)
Bulldogs Host Auburn To Open Home SEC Play…
The Bulldogs open home SEC play for the 2016 season against the Auburn Tigers on Friday at 7 p.m. CT on SEC Network +. The Tigers lead the overall series 37-20, while holding a 15-11 advantage in Starkville. AU has won the last six meetings, including a
3-2 win last year at MSU.
A Bulldog Win Would…
- Snap a six-match losing streak to Auburn (Last win on Nov. 13, 2011 in Auburn)
- Be State's first win against the Tigers in Starkville since Oct. 9, 2011
- Mark the first time in program history MSU has won SEC home openers in back-to-back seasons
- Give MSU a 2-1 start to SEC play, the best since starting 2-1 in 2004
Scouting The Auburn Tigers…
Auburn enters the weekend with a 7-8 record and standing 1-1 in SEC play. The Tigers started last weekend off with a 3-2 win against LSU at home before falling in straight sets at Texas A&M.
Brenna McIlroy leads Auburn with 186 kills and 216.5 points, while Breanna Barksdale tops the team with 38 blocks. Alex Filley paces AU with 559 assists and Jesse Earl has a team-best 302 digs and 21 aces.
Leading The Bulldogs…
Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 249
Assists: Blossom Sato, 409
Aces: Evie Grace Singleton, 28
Digs: Payton Harris, 206
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 73
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 289.5
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 1-7 when losing the attacking battle. MSU took down Tennessee on Friday 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 8-2 when capturing the first set, but when 1-5 when unable to do so. Winning the first two sets almost assures the Bulldogs of victory, as they are 6-1 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 seven double-digit block performances this season so far and have earned 143.5 total through the first 16 matches of play. It is the most blocks through the first 16 contests of a season since recording 144.0 in 2002.
Live Broadcast…
Friday's match will be broadcasted on the SEC Network +. Fans can access the broadcast through WatchESPN.com or by clicking the link below.
Mississippi State vs. Auburn SECN+ Broadcast
Live Stats…
Mississippi State will provide live stats for Friday night's contest. Fans can access them through the link below.
Mississippi State vs. Auburn Live Stats
Admission…
Fans get into all home Mississippi State volleyball matches at Newell-Grissom for free during the 2016 season.
Promotions…
- FREE admission for all
- Faculty/Staff Appreciation: FREE t-shirts for the 1st 50 faculty/staff
- Contests & MSU prizes given away during breaks
- Mini volleyball toss during intros
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
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
RS/MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OPP/MB
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