PREVIEW: Volleyball Set for Final Fall Road Test at No. 6 Texas A&M
November 03, 2020 | Volleyball
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State volleyball will begin the final half of its fall season with likely its toughest challenge so far as it travels to Aggieland to face No. 6 Texas A&M in a two-match midweek series.
Â
One of four undefeated SEC clubs, the Aggies (4-0, 4-0 SEC) will host the Bulldogs (0-4, 0-4 SEC) Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 4-5) in Reed Arena. The series opener will be nationally televised on SEC Network, while the finale can be seen on SEC Network+ or the Watch ESPN app. Both matches are set for a 7 p.m. CT first serve.
Â
"This season has been such an amazing opportunity for us to compete and play, and we are so grateful for that," MSU volleyball coach Julie Darty Dennis said. "It has been a little sense of normalcy in a not so normal fall, and because of that we have just enjoyed every moment of it so far.
Â
"We are excited for the chance to compete against such a talented team. Texas A&M is a very polished team, and they are certainly ranked that high for a reason. We took a lot of time since our last time out to try to work out some of the kinks, scout ourselves and get better from that perspective. It's always about the serve and pass game so we just need to key in on that and execute our game plan to give ourselves the best opportunity to be successful in Bryan-College Station."
Â
So far, State has depended on its defense, ranking No. 5 in the league in digs (15.39 per set). Freshman libero Lilly Gunter has been the anchor as her 3.67 digs per set average rates No. 3 in the league. Gunter has earned double-digit digs in every match thus far, including a season-high 20 digs over four sets in the series opener at LSU on October 21.
Â
MSU will look to get going from an offensive perspective behind junior right side hitter Gabby Waden. Waden has consistently attacked with quality and quantity this fall, leading the squad in both kills (3.28 per set) and hitting percentage (.328).
Â
Texas A&M finished 23-8, 13-5 SEC, and made a run to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2019. The undefeated Aggies defeated LSU both times in Reed Arena to open the 2020 season, then won each match of its road series at Ole Miss a week later. Like MSU, Texas A&M's defense is its best weapon as the club averages 15.3 digs per set and 2.69 blocks per set.
Â
In accordance with guidelines provided by the SEC, Reed Arena will be open to fans at a reduced capacity for this series. A limited number of general admission seating tickets will be available for sale at the Reed Arena ticket windows, opening an hour before the match. Fans must wear a face covering and practice social distancing at all times.
Â
Match 1
Opponent: No. 6 Texas A&M
Location: Reed Arena | College Station Texas
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Broadcast: SEC Network (Paul Sunderland, Jenny Hazelwood)
Â
Match 2
Opponent: No. 6 Texas A&M
Location: Reed Arena | College Station Texas
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Broadcast: SEC Network (Casey Richardson, Chelsea Reber)
Â
Overall: 0-12
at MSU: 0-6
at LSU: 0-6
Neutral: N/A
Last Meeting: Nov. 22, 2019 | Bryan-College Station, Texas | Texas A&M won, 3-0
Â
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.
Â
Â
One of four undefeated SEC clubs, the Aggies (4-0, 4-0 SEC) will host the Bulldogs (0-4, 0-4 SEC) Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 4-5) in Reed Arena. The series opener will be nationally televised on SEC Network, while the finale can be seen on SEC Network+ or the Watch ESPN app. Both matches are set for a 7 p.m. CT first serve.
Â
"This season has been such an amazing opportunity for us to compete and play, and we are so grateful for that," MSU volleyball coach Julie Darty Dennis said. "It has been a little sense of normalcy in a not so normal fall, and because of that we have just enjoyed every moment of it so far.
Â
"We are excited for the chance to compete against such a talented team. Texas A&M is a very polished team, and they are certainly ranked that high for a reason. We took a lot of time since our last time out to try to work out some of the kinks, scout ourselves and get better from that perspective. It's always about the serve and pass game so we just need to key in on that and execute our game plan to give ourselves the best opportunity to be successful in Bryan-College Station."
Â
So far, State has depended on its defense, ranking No. 5 in the league in digs (15.39 per set). Freshman libero Lilly Gunter has been the anchor as her 3.67 digs per set average rates No. 3 in the league. Gunter has earned double-digit digs in every match thus far, including a season-high 20 digs over four sets in the series opener at LSU on October 21.
Â
MSU will look to get going from an offensive perspective behind junior right side hitter Gabby Waden. Waden has consistently attacked with quality and quantity this fall, leading the squad in both kills (3.28 per set) and hitting percentage (.328).
Â
Texas A&M finished 23-8, 13-5 SEC, and made a run to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2019. The undefeated Aggies defeated LSU both times in Reed Arena to open the 2020 season, then won each match of its road series at Ole Miss a week later. Like MSU, Texas A&M's defense is its best weapon as the club averages 15.3 digs per set and 2.69 blocks per set.
Â
In accordance with guidelines provided by the SEC, Reed Arena will be open to fans at a reduced capacity for this series. A limited number of general admission seating tickets will be available for sale at the Reed Arena ticket windows, opening an hour before the match. Fans must wear a face covering and practice social distancing at all times.
Â
Match Information
 Match 1
Opponent: No. 6 Texas A&M
Location: Reed Arena | College Station Texas
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Broadcast: SEC Network (Paul Sunderland, Jenny Hazelwood)
Â
Match 2
Opponent: No. 6 Texas A&M
Location: Reed Arena | College Station Texas
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Broadcast: SEC Network (Casey Richardson, Chelsea Reber)
Â
Series History
 Overall: 0-12
at MSU: 0-6
at LSU: 0-6
Neutral: N/A
Last Meeting: Nov. 22, 2019 | Bryan-College Station, Texas | Texas A&M won, 3-0
Â
First Serve
- Freshman libero Lilly Gunter's 3.67 digs per set is the best average among SEC freshmen. Similarly, in 2019, then-freshman Callie Minshew led all league rookies with 268 total digs.
- Junior right side hitter Gabby Waden has collected double-digit kills in each of MSU's matches so far this fall.
- Junior middle blocker Deja Robinson is two solo blocks away from moving into a tie for ninth place on Mississippi State's all-time career leaderboard for the category (Lynn Ammeson; 55), and three away from a three-way tie for seventh (Nicole Carter and Aimee York; 56).
- Redshirt junior outside hitter Logan Brown has collected three double-doubles over the first four matches of the season. Graduate transfer Margaret Dean has two.
- Mississippi State is looking for its first win against Texas A&M all-time, with the series dating back to 2012.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.
Â
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
MB/RS
/ VolleyballSunday, November 07
Thursday, November 04
Tuesday, October 26
Sunday, October 24