Hill’s Career Night Leads MSU To 3-1 Victory Against Auburn

Friday, September 30

Starkville

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

10-7 (2-1SEC)

Auburn

7-9 (1-2SEC)

Auburn

Mississippi State

Emily Hill earned a career-high 24 kills on Friday night to lead MSU to a 3-1 win against Auburn.

Hill’s Career Night Leads MSU To 3-1 Victory Against Auburn

September 30, 2016 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score Box Score (PDF)

STARKVILLE, Miss. – If you hadn't heard of Emily Hill, chances are you have now after Friday night's 3-1 victory by Mississippi State (10-7, 2-1 SEC) against the Auburn Tigers (7-9 1-2 SEC).

The Bulldog freshman was electric from start to finish, tallying a career-high 24 kills and one major solo block to lead the Dogs to the four-set victory and the best start to SEC play since 2004 on Friday night at Newell-Grissom. The win also snapped a six-match losing streak to the Tigers and marked the first win against AU in Starkville since 2011.

"I cannot say enough about Emily's performance," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "She was on another level all night and was absolutely huge for us. We've said it from the beginning that she's going to be a special player here for years to come. She proves that more and more with every match."

Hill also tallied 11 digs to earn her third double-double of the season. She wasn't the only Bulldog to double up on Friday night, as Blossom Sato and Cheyenne Spell also earned double-doubles. Sato earned 45 assists and a season-high 16 digs for her fourth double-double of the year, while Spell doubled up for the first time in her career with 16 digs and a career-high 10 assists.

Friday's first set was Auburn's to lose, as the Tigers held the lead and momentum for much of the opening frame. State was able to tie the set up several times, but could never get back into the lead after a 2-1 start, as AU went on to open the match with a 2-1 lead behind a 25-22 first-set win.

The second set proved much closer, as the two squads battled back-and-forth early on. State would push out to a 14-10 lead. Auburn would respond with a 7-1 run that would put the visitors out in front and their eyes on a 2-0 lead. However, the Dogs would answer right back, pulling back in front at 24-23. The two sides would then trade points, as Auburn fought off four MSU set points. Then enter Evie Grace Singleton and Hill, who went back-to-back with kills to seal the set, 29-27, and tie the match at 1-1.

With the match on level ground, the two teams continued their tight play in the third set. Auburn seemed to gain a late advantage, going up 20-17 on the Dogs. Then a service error by the Tigers opened the flood gates, as MSU went on an 8-0 run, highlighted by 3 kills from Hill to take the set, 25-20, and a 2-1 lead in the match.

The night's final frame was a set of runs, as both sides traded streaks, not allowing anyone to gain firm footing. Up 21-20, the Tigers looked to pull away, but Singleton and Jelena Vujcin had consecutive kills, followed by a devastating solo block by Hill to put MSU up 23-21 and force an AU timeout. The Tigers would fight off several match points to tie things up at 24-24, but Jazmyne Johnson connected for her eighth kill and AU fired long on a lengthy rally to give the set (26-24) and the match (3-1) to the Dogs.

"That match got your heart racing from the get go and proved how exciting SEC volleyball is on any given night," McFatrich said.

Singleton and Vujcin rounded out the MSU attack with 18 and 11 kills, respectively. This is now the fourth-straight match that Hill, Singleton and Vujcin have all connected for double-digit kills.

The service line continued to be Singleton's best friend, as she tallied a trio of aces on the night, moving her season total to 31. Friday was her sixth match of the season with at least 3 aces.

Johnson once again led the MSU block this match, as the senior tallied a trio of denials on the night.

"All in all, I'm proud of our girls for not losing their focus after that first set. They came back strong and played their hearts out," McFatrich said. "This is another big win for them and for Mississippi State. Now we're set on continuing this run on Sunday against Alabama."

The Dogs and Crimson Tide will face off at 3 p.m. CT at The Griss. The match will be MSU's first nationally-televised match, coming to fans live on the SEC Network.

Weekend Schedule…
Friday, Sept. 23
Mississippi State def. Auburn, 3-1 (22-25, 29-27, 25-20, 26-24)

Sunday, Sept. 25
Mississippi State vs. Alabama – 3:00 p.m. CT (SEC Network)

Leading The Bulldogs…

Kills: Emily Hill, 25
Assists: Blossom Sato, 45
Aces: Evie Grace Singleton, 3
Digs: Blossom Sato & Cheyenne Spell, 16
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 3
Points: Emily Hill, 25.0

Bulldogs With Best SEC Start In Over A Decade…
Friday night's win put the Bulldogs at 2-1 to start off SEC play, which is a feat that MSU has not accomplished in over a decade. State's start to league play is the best since starting 2-1 in 2004.

Losing Streak Against The Tigers Snapped…
When taking down the Tigers, MSU accomplished more than just the best SEC start in over a decade. The win snapped a six-match losing streak against Auburn and also gave the Maroon and White its first win against AU at home since Oct. 9, 2011.

SEC Home Opener History Made Friday Night…
For the second-straight season, the Bulldogs have opened up home SEC play with a win, taking down South Carolina last year and Auburn on Friday night. The win marks the first time in program history that State has won home conference openers in back-to-back seasons.

Second Set Scoring Frenzy…
A wild back-and-forth second set ended in a 29-27 Bulldog victory, tying the match at 1-1. The set is the highest scoring set by the Bulldogs since winning the first set, 30-28, at Missouri last year.

Hill Tallies Career Night Against Auburn…
To say freshman Emily Hill had a career night is a bit of an understatement. The Denton, Texas, native tallied a career-high 24 kills, including kills that won the second and third sets for the Dogs. She also earned 11 digs to tally her third double-double of the year. Her 24 kills also stand as the most by an MSU freshman since Kimmy Gardiner tallied 27 against UAB in 2013

Sato Doubles Up Yet Again…
Another match, another double-double for Blossom Sato. With 45 assists and 16 digs, the sophomore earned her fourth double-double of the year and ninth of her career. It is the third time in the last four matches that she has accomplished such a feat.

Record Watch: Payton Harris…
Junior Payton Harris tallied 9 digs on Friday and now stands at 1,384 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. Melissa Kariker (1993-96) holds the school record with 1,707.

Spell Turns In Solid Performance Against The Tigers…
Senior Cheyenne Spell was on her game Friday night, putting together another solid performance as State's libero. The Diana, Texas native recorded 16 digs and a career-high 10 assists, earning her first-career double-double.

Alabama, National TV Up Next For The Dogs…
The Dogs will welcome the Alabama Crimson Tide to The Griss for a Sunday, Oct. 1 showdown at 3 p.m. Sunday will be MSU's first nationally-televised broadcast, coming live on the 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."