Mississippi State Volleyball Falls to No. 12 Florida

Sunday, November 10

Starkville

1:00 PM

Mississippi State

13-13,2-12SEC

Florida

19-3,10-1SEC

Florida

Mississippi St.

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Mississippi State Volleyball Falls to No. 12 Florida

November 10, 2019 | Volleyball

Box Score

By Austin Coats, Graduate Assistant/Communications

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State volleyball just couldn't find its way against No. 12 Florida on Sunday (Nov. 10), falling in three sets at the Newell-Grissom Building.

"From the service line we did a fantastic job getting them into a little bit of trouble," MSU volleyball coach Julie Darty said. "We're going to have to pass the ball well, and we're going to have to run our middles and right [sides] like we need to.

"We have to stay balanced, and I think when we pass the ball, we get to feed our middles and our rights."

The Bulldogs (13-13, 2-12 SEC) nearly pulled off a third set victory against the Gators (20-3, 11-1 SEC), but Florida rallied late to clinch the straight set win.

"We found it a little late in the third set, but I really feel like we have to be the same team when we start matches and when we finish," Darty said. "I want to challenge our team to execute every part of the game plan."

In the battle on the net, Mississippi State bested Florida's blockers, 6-2. Sophomore Deja Robinson led the team with three blocks.

"Credit to our blockers. I think it's huge that we out-blocked Florida, but everything behind the block just has to pick it up. We have to dig the balls that are hit right at us and convert in transition."

First Set (Florida 25, Mississippi State 18)

A service error and two attack errors compounded to give Florida a 3-0 run and a 14-10 advantage in the opening set, and the Gators rolled on to take an early lead.

Second Set (Florida 25, Mississippi State 15)

Mississippi State couldn't recover after Florida scored seven consecutive points early in set two.

Third Set (Florida 25, Mississippi State 21)

Freshman Callie Minshew converted a service ace and a kill to put State in front late at 19-18. The Gators took the lead back, however, with a 4-0 run in a set that had 11 tie scores. Junior Kanani Price picked up seven digs in the final set alone.

Up Next
The Bulldogs get a week off before their next match. On Sunday (Nov. 17), MSU volleyball will celebrate senior day ahead of its 1 p.m. CT matchup against Georgia at the Newell-Grissom Building.

"We have lots of work to do this week as we prepare for our Senior Sunday against Georgia but also a lot to be proud of and build off of," Darty said. "I do continue to feel like the momentum is heading in the right direction. I'm really proud of my Dawgs and we'll continue to keep working at it."

For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.