Photo by: Kelly Donoho/MSU Athletics
PREVIEW: Volleyball Welcomes Arkansas to Open 2020 Season
October 16, 2020 | Volleyball
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State volleyball is set to serve up the third season of the Julie Darty Dennis era this weekend as it hosts Arkansas in a two-match conference battle at the Newell-Grissom Building Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 17-18).
The first match of the series will take place Saturday, with first serve coming at 11 a.m. CT. The second contest is slated for Sunday at noon CT. The series finale will appear on ESPNU, while both matches can be streamed via SEC Network+ and the WatchESPN app.
The Bulldogs finished 13-17 (2-16 SEC) in 2019, boosted by an 11-1 start that tied the best 12-match start in program history (2000, 1992). State went on to sweep Auburn in SEC play, and forced several five-set battles. Notable returners from the squad are juniors Gabby Waden, who led the team in kills (343), and Deja Robinson, one of the league's top blockers.
Arkansas adds nine newcomers after an 11-19 (5-13) season in 2019. The Razorbacks are led by sophomore Jillian Gillen, who returns after being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team a year ago.
The Razorbacks outlasted MSU in both of their 2019 matchups. The series finale ended in thrilling fashion as the Bulldogs came back from being down 2-0 to force five sets before Arkansas clinched with a 15-13 fifth set victory.
As announced Tuesday (Oct. 13), the Newell-Grissom Building will operate at 25 percent capacity for 2020 home matches, allowing for a maximum 497 participants. Entry is free to all fans on a first-come, first-served basis, and the maximum capacity cap will be strictly enforced. Fans should not attend if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 or a fever above 100.4 degrees.
Match 1
Opponent: Arkansas
Location: Newell-Grissom Building | Starkville, Miss.
Time: 11 a.m. CT
Broadcast: SEC Network+ (Bart Gregory, Summer Seage)
Match 2
Opponent: Arkansas
Location: Newell-Grissom Building | Starkville, Miss.
Time: Noon CT
Broadcast: ESPNU/SEC Network+ (Courtney Lyle, Jenny Hazelwood)
Overall: 5-44
at MSU: 4-20
at Arkansas: 1-23
Neutral: 0-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 4, 2019 | Fayetteville, Ark. | MSU Lost, 3-2
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.
The first match of the series will take place Saturday, with first serve coming at 11 a.m. CT. The second contest is slated for Sunday at noon CT. The series finale will appear on ESPNU, while both matches can be streamed via SEC Network+ and the WatchESPN app.
The Bulldogs finished 13-17 (2-16 SEC) in 2019, boosted by an 11-1 start that tied the best 12-match start in program history (2000, 1992). State went on to sweep Auburn in SEC play, and forced several five-set battles. Notable returners from the squad are juniors Gabby Waden, who led the team in kills (343), and Deja Robinson, one of the league's top blockers.
Arkansas adds nine newcomers after an 11-19 (5-13) season in 2019. The Razorbacks are led by sophomore Jillian Gillen, who returns after being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team a year ago.
The Razorbacks outlasted MSU in both of their 2019 matchups. The series finale ended in thrilling fashion as the Bulldogs came back from being down 2-0 to force five sets before Arkansas clinched with a 15-13 fifth set victory.
As announced Tuesday (Oct. 13), the Newell-Grissom Building will operate at 25 percent capacity for 2020 home matches, allowing for a maximum 497 participants. Entry is free to all fans on a first-come, first-served basis, and the maximum capacity cap will be strictly enforced. Fans should not attend if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 or a fever above 100.4 degrees.
Match Information
Match 1
Opponent: Arkansas
Location: Newell-Grissom Building | Starkville, Miss.
Time: 11 a.m. CT
Broadcast: SEC Network+ (Bart Gregory, Summer Seage)
Match 2
Opponent: Arkansas
Location: Newell-Grissom Building | Starkville, Miss.
Time: Noon CT
Broadcast: ESPNU/SEC Network+ (Courtney Lyle, Jenny Hazelwood)
Series History
Overall: 5-44
at MSU: 4-20
at Arkansas: 1-23
Neutral: 0-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 4, 2019 | Fayetteville, Ark. | MSU Lost, 3-2
First Serve
- First serve on Saturday will mark the beginning of the 46th season of Mississippi State volleyball.
- MSU owns a 30-15 (.667) record in season-opening matches, and a 34-9 (.371) mark in home openers all-time.
- The Bulldogs welcomed nine newcomers to the 2020 roster, including five freshmen and four transfer student-athletes.
- Kendall Murr, who missed the 2019 season due to injury, is set to return to the court for her senior season. As a sophomore, Murr led MSU with 413 digs.
- Mississippi State added three players measuring at 6-foot-2 or taller since the end of the 2019 season.
- Junior middle blocker Deja Robinson led the Bulldogs in block assists both as a sophomore (83) and as a freshman (70). With 107 total blocks (0.97 per set) in 2019, Robinson has proved herself as one of the top blockers in the league.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.
Players Mentioned
Mssissippi State Volleyball vs Missouri - 11/7/21
Sunday, November 07
gabby waden interview - 11/3/21
Thursday, November 04
Shania Cromartie Post Match Interview - 10/24/21
Tuesday, October 26
Mississippi State Volleyball vs. Texas A&M - 10/24/21
Sunday, October 24