Thursday, September 19
Starkville
12:00 PM
Mississippi State
vs
Jackson State
Volleyball Hosts Hail State Invite to Close Non-Conference Schedule
September 18, 2019 | Volleyball
STARKVILLE – The 8-1 Mississippi State volleyball team is back at home this week as it hosts the Hail State Invitational at the Newell Grissom Building, Thursday and Friday (Sept. 19-20).
MSU welcomes Jackson State, North Florida and UAB to The Griss.
"The team is focused and ready to work hard to end our non-conference slate on a high note," MSU volleyball head coach Julie Darty said. "The team chemistry continues to get better with each opportunity we get on the court."
All three of Mississippi State's matches will be available for live stream via SEC Network+, and the whole tournament can be followed via live stats.
The Hail State Invitational kicks off with a 10 a.m. CT matchup between North Florida and UAB. At noon, MSU takes on Jackson State in the first meeting between the programs since 2017. State holds 16-match win streak against the Tigers and has not lost a set to JSU since 1981.
A doubleheader day for the Dawgs closes with a 7 p.m. contest against North Florida. It will be the first meeting for the two programs.
On Friday at 5 p.m., State hosts UAB. The Bulldogs have won the last two matchups against the Blazers, the most recent coming in 2013.
"I am excited to welcome three talented teams to Starkville this Thursday and Friday," Darty said. "These will be very challenging matches for us, and that is exactly what we need heading into SEC play. If we can continue to focus on our side of the net and our first contact, I think those two things will help us be in a position to have success.
MSU's 8-1 record to start the 2019 campaign is, in part, thanks to double-doubles and defense.
With nine so far, the Bulldogs rank No. 3 in the SEC in double-doubles. Five different student-athletes have recorded a double, which is tied for the most in the conference. Also, three freshmen - Callie Minshew, Katie Culumovic and Makenzie Jordan - have collected double-doubles, the most in the league.
Senior setter Alleah Stamatis, who sits tied for fourth in the conference with 0.39 aces per set and 10th with 3.30 digs per set, is also the co-leader in the SEC with five double-doubles over eight matches played.
The Bulldog defense has been stellar early, ranking in the SEC Top 5 in opponent hitting percentage (fourth - .133), digs per set (third - 14.56) and blocks per set (second - 2.42).
Most recently, State went 2-1 last weekend at the Gamecock Classic. Stamatis led the team with 72 assists, two double-doubles, 35 digs and three service aces, while sophomore Deja Robinson tallied a .511 hitting percentage and 17 blocks. Fellow sophomore Gabby Waden totaled 40 kills for the weekend.
"I like how we have responded after going 2-1 last weekend," Darty said. "We just need to continue to be consistent and continue to take ownership of our jobs and do those jobs well individually to make the team better as a whole. I'm really excited to be back home and I am hoping we have the best fans in the country at the Griss to support us."
Promotions
On Friday before MSU's 5 p.m. matchup with UAB, the first 200 Mississippi State University freshmen students in attendance will receive a freshman themed "Feelin' Fresh" tank top.
Hail State Invitational
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.
* All times central
MSU welcomes Jackson State, North Florida and UAB to The Griss.
"The team is focused and ready to work hard to end our non-conference slate on a high note," MSU volleyball head coach Julie Darty said. "The team chemistry continues to get better with each opportunity we get on the court."
All three of Mississippi State's matches will be available for live stream via SEC Network+, and the whole tournament can be followed via live stats.
The Hail State Invitational kicks off with a 10 a.m. CT matchup between North Florida and UAB. At noon, MSU takes on Jackson State in the first meeting between the programs since 2017. State holds 16-match win streak against the Tigers and has not lost a set to JSU since 1981.
A doubleheader day for the Dawgs closes with a 7 p.m. contest against North Florida. It will be the first meeting for the two programs.
On Friday at 5 p.m., State hosts UAB. The Bulldogs have won the last two matchups against the Blazers, the most recent coming in 2013.
"I am excited to welcome three talented teams to Starkville this Thursday and Friday," Darty said. "These will be very challenging matches for us, and that is exactly what we need heading into SEC play. If we can continue to focus on our side of the net and our first contact, I think those two things will help us be in a position to have success.
MSU's 8-1 record to start the 2019 campaign is, in part, thanks to double-doubles and defense.
With nine so far, the Bulldogs rank No. 3 in the SEC in double-doubles. Five different student-athletes have recorded a double, which is tied for the most in the conference. Also, three freshmen - Callie Minshew, Katie Culumovic and Makenzie Jordan - have collected double-doubles, the most in the league.
Senior setter Alleah Stamatis, who sits tied for fourth in the conference with 0.39 aces per set and 10th with 3.30 digs per set, is also the co-leader in the SEC with five double-doubles over eight matches played.
The Bulldog defense has been stellar early, ranking in the SEC Top 5 in opponent hitting percentage (fourth - .133), digs per set (third - 14.56) and blocks per set (second - 2.42).
Most recently, State went 2-1 last weekend at the Gamecock Classic. Stamatis led the team with 72 assists, two double-doubles, 35 digs and three service aces, while sophomore Deja Robinson tallied a .511 hitting percentage and 17 blocks. Fellow sophomore Gabby Waden totaled 40 kills for the weekend.
"I like how we have responded after going 2-1 last weekend," Darty said. "We just need to continue to be consistent and continue to take ownership of our jobs and do those jobs well individually to make the team better as a whole. I'm really excited to be back home and I am hoping we have the best fans in the country at the Griss to support us."
Promotions
On Friday before MSU's 5 p.m. matchup with UAB, the first 200 Mississippi State University freshmen students in attendance will receive a freshman themed "Feelin' Fresh" tank top.
Hail State Invitational
| Date | Time | Matchup | Stream | Live Stats |
| Thursday, Sept. 19 | 10 a.m. | North Florida vs. UAB | -- | https://hailst.at/2ksUFWm |
| Thursday, Sept. 19 | Noon | Jackson State at Mississippi State | SEC Network+ | https://hailst.at/2kHcOzU |
| Thursday, Sept. 19 | 5 p.m. | UAB vs. Jackson State | -- | https://hailst.at/2lTvNax |
| Thursday, Sept. 19 | 7 p.m. | North Florida at Mississippi State | SEC Network+ | https://hailst.at/2moIAlC |
| Friday, Sept. 20 | 11 a.m. | Jackson State vs. North Florida | -- | https://hailst.at/2m2wcaw |
| Friday, Sept. 20 | 5 p.m. | UAB at Mississippi State | SEC Network+ | https://hailst.at/2kovUKV |
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.
* All times central
Players Mentioned
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