Marathon Set, Stamatis Double-Double Highlight MSU Volleyball Loss at Alabama

Wednesday, October 9

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

11-6,5-0SEC

Alabama

11-5,4-1SEC

Mississippi St.

Alabama

Marathon Set, Stamatis Double-Double Highlight MSU Volleyball Loss at Alabama

October 09, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score

By Austin Coats, Graduate Assistant/Communications

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – On Wednesday (Oct. 9) night, Mississippi State volleyball played its longest set since the NCAA went to the 25-point rally scoring format in 2008

A 39-37 second set victory showed State's fight after it trailed 18-13 early in the frame. However, Mississippi State (11-6, 0-5 SEC) fell against Alabama (10-5, 3-2) at Foster Auditorium in four sets.

"Tonight was another tough one for the Dawgs, but we are in the thick of SEC play and it's certainly not going to get any easier," MSU volleyball head coach Julie Darty said. "The second set was a marathon, and I'm really proud of the fight we put up.

"I'm always proud of my team because we never quit, and we always want to find ways to win, but we just didn't close on some of the opportunities we had tonight."

Senior Alleah Stamatis was solid once again in the setter role, picking up her ninth double-double of the season. Her 16 digs complemented 51 assists, which is new MSU career-high in two seasons for Stamatis.

Four Bulldog attackers tallied double-digit kills in the match, led by Gabby Waden's 18, her third-highest total in 2019. Waden leads the team with at least 10 kills in 12 matches, and she has collected eight or more in all but one match.

Senior Amarrah Cooks was State's most efficient attacker, tallying 11 kills on a .417 attacking percentage. She went into the match among the SEC's top 10 in hitting percentage.

Sophomore Deja Robinson had 12 kills, and freshman Callie Minshew had 11.

Junior libero Kanani Price tallied a career-high 25 digs to anchor the Bulldog defense.

"We are trending in the right direction. I truly feel like they are locked in on the process and are willing to put in the work to get there, it's just a slow journey for us right now," Darty said. "We are going to continue to get better and I am always proud of my team."

First Set (Alabama 25, Mississippi State 18)

Alabama separated itself when a challenge went its way to go up 21-16. The Crimson Tide kept its lead to take the opening set.

Second Set (Mississippi State 39, Alabama 37)

Back-to-back kills by Minshew gave Mississippi State a 20-19 lead after trailing 18-13. The Tide then went on a 3-0 run to set up the first set point of the second frame. Waden answered will two kills to start the marathon set. The two teams played 14 set points before Cooks sealed it with a kill.

Third Set (Alabama 25, Mississippi State 17)

The third set was back and forth early, but the Crimson Tide pulled away after a 10-10 tie and took a 2-1 advantage in the match.

Fourth Set (Alabama 25, Mississippi State 19)

A bad set gave MSU an early 8-7 lead, but the Crimson Tide took over late to capture the final set and the match victory.

Up Next
Mississippi State finishes its three-match road stretch with a Sunday matchup against Tennessee, set for 12:30 p.m. CT in Knoxville, Tenn.

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