MSU Topples USC In Four Sets For Impressive Win

Friday, November 24

Columbia, S.C.

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

10-23, 1-17SEC

South Carolina

12-18, 5-13SEC

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
MISSISSIPPI STATE	27	18	25	27	3
South Carolina	25	25	22	25	1

Team Celebrates Set Win Over Texas A&M On Nov. 22.

MSU Topples USC In Four Sets For Impressive Win

November 24, 2017 | Volleyball

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)

COLUMBIA, S.C. — There's only one proper way to close out a season, and that's with a win.

Friday night, Mississippi State (10-23, 1-17 SEC) did just that by taking down South Carolina (12-18, 5-13 SEC) in four sets, 27-25, 18-25, 25-22, 27-25.

The fourth and decisive set features both teams clawing and fighting in an attempt to win. Gabby Zgunda got things going for MSU with a service ace to start the set. From there, both sides capitalized once again on multiple errors. Jelena Vujcin passed her career high in kills at 26 during the set, and Sara Maddox had 4 kills and 5.0 points. The Bulldogs pulled out the win in extra points on a service ace from Morgan Kath, 27-25.

"I'm really proud of this group," third-year coach David McFatrich said. "They've stayed with it, and we kept getting better, but it didn't show up in the win column until tonight. Today was a makeshift lineup. Maddox had to play middle blocker because Laura Rose Gray sprained her ankle this morning in practice and couldn't play. Carina Lehto failed her concussion test earlier today and couldn't play. One of our other players, Maddi Penrod, had to go in and play left side, which she hadn't done but one time all season. With the last game and the makeshift line-up, they were able to pull out the win. Vujcin had an incredible last game as a Bulldog. She loves Mississippi State with all of her heart. I'm really proud of her."

The final match of the season started off with South Carolina taking the lead. A service ace from Maddox put MSU ahead at 3-2. From there, it was a back and forth battle on the court.

With each team capitalizing on errors, the set was extremely close throughout. Vujcin led the team and had 10 kills, a .600 hitting percentage and 10.5 points. The set turned into a thriller as it went into extra points. Back-to-back kills by Vujcin secured the victory for the Bulldogs, 27-25.

In the second set, each team capitalized on one another's errors to make moves on the court. Vujcin had 5 kills and 5.0 points. Morgan Kath had one service ace and 7 digs. The Bulldogs struggled against the Gamecock's attack game and had difficulty catching back up. South Carolina went on to win, 25-18.

Kills told the tale as there were six in a row to kick off the third set. Trailing by four, MSU came back to tie it 19-apiece. Vujcin had 8 kills and 8.5 points. Maddox had two service aces. The Bulldogs had the set won at 25-20 before Vujcin called back the point back after tipping the ball, which put the score at 24-20. Still, Mississippi State won with a kill from Vujcin at 25-22.

Dawg Bites
- All-time career digs leader Harris earned 17 digs. She now has 1,864 for her career, fifth most in SEC history.
- Liv Benner earned 4 total blocks. She now has 78 on the year. She is now holds sixth place for most total blocks as a freshman.
- Benner earned 2 block solos. She now has 17 on the year and holds the eighth spot for most block solos as a freshman.
- Benner earned 2 block assists. She now has 61 on the year and is in a three-way tie for most block solos as a freshman.
- Maddox has earned 24 attack attempts. She now has 814 on the year and is in sixth place for most attack attempts as a freshman.
- Maddox earned 10 kills. She now has 268 on the year and is in eighth place for most kills as a freshman.
- Zgunda earned 9 digs and now has 275 for her career. That puts her in 7th place for most digs as a freshman.
- Vujcin had 33 kills and 34.0 points. Her 33 kills and 34.0 points were a career high.

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."