Volleyball Hosts Rival Ole Miss Before Three-Match Road Stretch
October 03, 2019 | Volleyball
STARKVILLE – Another page in the Mississippi State-Ole Miss rivalry will be written Friday (Oct. 4) as MSU volleyball hosts the Rebels at the Newell-Grissom Building at 6 p.m. CT.
State continues SEC play at home Friday before a three-match road stretch starting Sunday at South Carolina (9-5, 1-1 SEC), where first serve is set for Noon CT.
Both matches will be nationally televised. MSU versus Ole Miss will be featured on the SEC Network, while State's visit to Columbia, S.C. can be seen on ESPNU.
"It's another big weekend for our team," MSU volleyball head coach Julie Darty said. "The Ole Miss match is always a super fun one. This rivalry is the real deal, but I also want to focus on the fact that they are a talented SEC opponent that we are facing, and we have to treat it like any other match.
Ole Miss (9-3, 1-0 SEC) started SEC play with an opening-day five-set victory over Tennessee at home. Ole Miss has won the last three matchups in the Magnolia State rivalry following MSU's own three-match win streak from 2015-16.
"They have had all week to prepare for us, so we know that they are going to be dialed in and prepared for a really competitive match. We have had a good week of practice and are ready to defend our home court. Our mindset is good – we are focused on controlling our side of the net, controlling the serve and pass game and just playing our brand and style of volleyball. I'm excited to welcome our fans to The Griss, and I'm really looking forward to being at home for such an exciting match. We just have to stay the course and trust the process."
South Carolina split its first SEC weekend, falling to Georgia in the opener before sweeping Auburn. The Bulldogs and Gamecocks have traded wins in the last two matchups, with South Carolina coming out on top in Columbia in 2018.
Sunday's match will be a homecoming for senior Amarrah Cooks and sophomore Gabby Waden, both natives of Columbia. Freshman Katie Culumovic is also a native of the Palmetto State, hailing from Simpsonville.
"Hitting the road and having another split weekend is tough and going back to South Carolina is always really personal for me," Darty said. "I am hoping that we can rally around our 803 girls and play some good volleyball on the road.
"We are completely focused on becoming consistent with our jobs and owning it. If each person steps up and does their job, the total team effort and execution will be that much better. We are looking forward to heading into Columbia to face a very good and always well-prepared Gamecock team on Sunday. It is all about setting a tone early, and we are excited to get to Columbia and really focus on who we are and where we want to be."
Heading into week two of conference play, MSU is the only SEC squad with three student-athletes carrying 100 kills and four student-athletes boasting 100 digs. Bulldog freshman Callie Minshew is one of eight SEC student-athletes, and one of two SEC freshmen, with 100 kills and 100 digs. Minshew, the lone active Bulldog from Mississippi, will make her first appearance in the MSU-Ole Miss rivalry Friday.
Promotions
Friday's match at The Griss will feature a complimentary cinnamon roll bar, "Beat Ole Miss" stickers and a photo opportunity with the Egg Bowl trophy. Additionally, the Greek house with the most students in attendance will receive a free Yeti cooler and $100 towards its social fund.
Weekend Schedule
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.
State continues SEC play at home Friday before a three-match road stretch starting Sunday at South Carolina (9-5, 1-1 SEC), where first serve is set for Noon CT.
Both matches will be nationally televised. MSU versus Ole Miss will be featured on the SEC Network, while State's visit to Columbia, S.C. can be seen on ESPNU.
"It's another big weekend for our team," MSU volleyball head coach Julie Darty said. "The Ole Miss match is always a super fun one. This rivalry is the real deal, but I also want to focus on the fact that they are a talented SEC opponent that we are facing, and we have to treat it like any other match.
Ole Miss (9-3, 1-0 SEC) started SEC play with an opening-day five-set victory over Tennessee at home. Ole Miss has won the last three matchups in the Magnolia State rivalry following MSU's own three-match win streak from 2015-16.
"They have had all week to prepare for us, so we know that they are going to be dialed in and prepared for a really competitive match. We have had a good week of practice and are ready to defend our home court. Our mindset is good – we are focused on controlling our side of the net, controlling the serve and pass game and just playing our brand and style of volleyball. I'm excited to welcome our fans to The Griss, and I'm really looking forward to being at home for such an exciting match. We just have to stay the course and trust the process."
South Carolina split its first SEC weekend, falling to Georgia in the opener before sweeping Auburn. The Bulldogs and Gamecocks have traded wins in the last two matchups, with South Carolina coming out on top in Columbia in 2018.
Sunday's match will be a homecoming for senior Amarrah Cooks and sophomore Gabby Waden, both natives of Columbia. Freshman Katie Culumovic is also a native of the Palmetto State, hailing from Simpsonville.
"Hitting the road and having another split weekend is tough and going back to South Carolina is always really personal for me," Darty said. "I am hoping that we can rally around our 803 girls and play some good volleyball on the road.
"We are completely focused on becoming consistent with our jobs and owning it. If each person steps up and does their job, the total team effort and execution will be that much better. We are looking forward to heading into Columbia to face a very good and always well-prepared Gamecock team on Sunday. It is all about setting a tone early, and we are excited to get to Columbia and really focus on who we are and where we want to be."
Heading into week two of conference play, MSU is the only SEC squad with three student-athletes carrying 100 kills and four student-athletes boasting 100 digs. Bulldog freshman Callie Minshew is one of eight SEC student-athletes, and one of two SEC freshmen, with 100 kills and 100 digs. Minshew, the lone active Bulldog from Mississippi, will make her first appearance in the MSU-Ole Miss rivalry Friday.
Promotions
Friday's match at The Griss will feature a complimentary cinnamon roll bar, "Beat Ole Miss" stickers and a photo opportunity with the Egg Bowl trophy. Additionally, the Greek house with the most students in attendance will receive a free Yeti cooler and $100 towards its social fund.
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Time | Matchup | Stream | Live Stats |
| Friday, Oct. 4 | 6 p.m. CT | Ole Miss | SEC Network+ | https://hailst.at/2ob5Dl7 |
| Sunday, Oct. 6 | Noon CT | at South Carolina | SEC Network+ | https://hailst.at/352XzUb |
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.
Players Mentioned
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