Cooks Strong in MSU's Setback Against Texas A&M

Friday, October 18

Starkville

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

11-8, 0-7SEC

Texas A&M

12-5, 4-3SEC

Texas A&M

Mississippi St.

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Cooks Strong in MSU's Setback Against Texas A&M

October 18, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score

STARKVILLE – Amarrah Cooks earned a season-high 13 kills to go with four blocks in Mississippi State volleyball's four-set loss to Texas A&M Friday (Oct. 18) night at the Newell-Grissom Building.

The senior was efficient too, earning a .393 hitting percentage for the match.

"What a night from Amarrah," MSU volleyball head coach Julie Darty said. "She just decided it was time to play, and she really turned it on and up a notch. I think that was really exciting for us to see, that offensively and defensively she was just on a different level tonight.

"I'm really proud of our seniors. I really think the connection between Alleah [Stamatis] and Amarrah is coming out, and it's because of our passing. Our passers did a good job of handling the ball."

Down 2-0, the Bulldogs (11-8, 0-7 SEC) battled to a third-set victory, but Texas A&M (12-5, 4-3 SEC) took the match in four sets.

"We did a good job managing their really talented offense and their really strong outside hitter, Hollann Hans, for a little while," Darty said. "You can't give them a minute to breathe and feel comfortable. I think that was the key. We kind of let them take the momentum back in that fourth set. It almost felt like we came off of the gas."

Junior Kanani Price led the team with 15 digs, while senior Alleah Stamatis had 26 assists and eight digs.

"I think our serve and pass was a bit better. It looks like we're a little bit more comfortable serving tough at home. We were a little deflated and defeated, so I think that we have to stay hungry and get back at it tomorrow in practice and be prepared for Arkansas on Sunday.

"We're close. I continue to trust the process, and the girls are continuing to work hard. Stick with us and good things are going to happen."

First Set (Texas A&M 25, Mississippi State 22)

A close set early went A&M's way after a four-point Aggie run gave them a 14-10 advantage. Mississippi State scored five of the final seven points, but it wasn't enough to come all the way back in the opening set.

Second Set (Texas A&M 25, Mississippi State 19)

The Bulldogs opened with a 3-1 advantage, but the Aggies quickly flipped the script, forcing Darty to call a timeout down 9-4. A Callie Minshew kill got State back within four at 22-18, but Texas A&M held on to go up 2-0 in the match.

Third Set (Mississippi State 25, Texas A&M 22)

Down two sets, the Bulldogs punched back with a 25-22 third-set victory. An A&M attack error capped a 6-0 run for the Bulldogs, giving them a 15-10 lead. The Aggies applied late pressure, but Cooks finished a long rally with a loud kill to put State up 23-21. MSU closed the door on the third set from there.

The Bulldogs held A&M to a .071 team hitting percentage in the third frame.

Fourth Set (Texas A&M 25, Mississippi State 15)

The Aggies struck early and often in the final set to close out the match with a win.

Up Next
The Bulldogs continue a three-match homestand when they host Arkansas on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT in the Newell-Grissom Building. Both teams are searching for their first SEC win.

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