PREVIEW: Bulldogs to Host No. 2 Kentucky, Close Fall Slate

STARKVILLE – After executing a series sweep of No. 7 Texas A&M last week, Mississippi State volleyball returns home to face another ranked opponent. The Bulldogs (2-4, 2-4 SEC) will host No. 2 Kentucky (6-0, 6-0 SEC) in its final series of the fall season Friday and Saturday (Nov. 13-14) at the Newell-Grissom Building.

The first contest of the two-match series will be nationally televised on SEC Network, and the fall finale can be seen via SEC Network+ and the Watch ESPN app. First serve for both matches is set for noon CT.

The series was originally scheduled for Thursday and Friday (Nov. 12-13), but was postponed by a day due to contact tracing among the Kentucky program. The action is consistent with COVID-19 management requirements developed by the SEC's Medical Guidance Task Force.

"We have to put ourselves in a position to compete against Kentucky. They are a very clean and efficient team, so we are going to have to fight for every point and really earn our own points on our side. We have to commit to following our game plan and really stay dialed in on our execution. We need to try to set the tone early and really find a way to continue to compete for the entire match."

Ahead of Saturday's series finale, Mississippi State will have a Senior Day celebration for Kendall Murr, who is closing her third fall in maroon and white.

"This is an exciting couple of matches and I certainly look forward to celebrating Kendall," Darty Dennis said. "She has done big things for this program."

Junior right side hitter Gabby Waden was the hot hand for the Bulldogs offensively at Texas A&M, averaging 4.89 kills per set and a .344 hitting percentage. Waden had been a steady force for State all season, owning 103 kills and a .335 hitting mark, but set fire against the Aggies as she totaled 44 kills.

That said, as a team, MSU has relied its defense, which ranks No. 5 in the conference in digs (14.93 per set). Freshman libero Lilly Gunter has been a big reason why, ranking No. 6 in the SEC with 3.44 digs per set, the second-best mark among league rookies. Sophomore Callie Minshew earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday (Nov. 9) after collecting 33 digs in the Texas A&M series.

Kentucky won its third straight SEC Championship in 2019, sharing the title with Florida, after posting a 25-7 record (16-2 SEC). The Wildcats advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, where they were eliminated by No. 9 Washington in four sets. Kentucky is off to a 6-0 start to the 2020 fall season and leads the league with a .350 hitting percentage.

In accordance with guidelines provided by the SEC and the state of Mississippi, the Newell-Grissom Building operates 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 (Updated)

Match 1
Opponent: No. 2 Kentucky
Location: Newell-Grissom Building | Starkville, Miss.
Date & Time: Friday, Nov. 13 | Noon CT
Broadcast: SEC Network (Paul Sunderland, Jenny Hazelwood)

Match 2
Opponent: No. 2 Kentucky
Location: Newell-Grissom Building | Starkville, Miss.
Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 14 | Noon CT
Broadcast: SEC Network+ (Bart Gregory, Summer Seage)

Series History

Overall: 2-52
at MSU: 2-20
at LSU: 0-28
Neutral: 0-4
Last Meeting: Sept. 27, 2019 | Lexington, Ky. | Kentucky won, 3-1

First Serve

Mississippi State earned its second and third wins against ranked opponents all-time last week in defeating No. 7 Texas A&M in both matches of the midweek series. State also pulled off consecutive SEC wins for the first time since 2016.
A win Thursday would be State's first three-match win streak against SEC foes since October 12, 2007. It would also be MSU's first win against Kentucky since 2011. Two wins would give State a four-match win streak against SEC opponents, the longest such streak in program history.
Junior right side hitter Gabby Waden tallied a career-high 24 kills in State's series finale win at No. 7 Texas A&M last Thursday (Nov. 5) on her way to 44 total kills (4.89 per set, .344 hitting percentage) for the week. Waden has collected at least 13 kills and a .294 hitting percentage in each match this season.
Freshman libero Lilly Gunter's 3.44 digs per set (93 total) ranks No. 6 in the SEC and is the second highest among league freshmen. She leads an MSU defense that ranks No. 5 in the conference with 14.93 digs per set.
With 55 solo blocks in three seasons, junior Deja Robinson is one away from a three-way tie for seventh among MSU's career leaders in the category.

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

Mississippi State University Athletics

PREVIEW: Bulldogs to Host No. 2 Kentucky, Close Fall Slate

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Lilly Gunter

Callie Minshew

Kendall Murr

Deja Robinson

Gabby Waden

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