Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Preseason Update: September 25
September 25, 2020 | Volleyball
With Mississippi State volleyball three weekends away from opening its season at home versus Arkansas on Saturday, October 17, junior Deja Robinson and sophomore Lauren Myrick share an update on the team's progress, as well as their personal growth during preseason.
State fans will be able to participate in home gamedays in a new, safe way this fall, as Maroon Memories introduced "State Stand-Ins," stadium cutouts that will fill the Newell-Grissom Building. More information on how to purchase is available at MaroonMemories.com.
Deja Robinson was a Freshman All-SEC performer in 2018, then led the team in blocks as a sophomore (107). The junior middle blocker collected double-digit kills in eight matches last season, and boasted a hitting percentage of .292 or better in six of those matches.
Q: With two solid seasons under your belt, how do you feel going into the 2020 season?
DR: I feel really good. I'm super excited about just being in the gym with everyone and seeing how competitive we all are. We're getting so much better, and I think we're all ready for another team across the net.
Q: How have you grown since the end of last season? How has the team grown?
DR: I definitely would say my confidence has gone up a lot because in the past I would get so frustrated with myself, but I think this year, I put that aside. I would tell myself to reset, [knowing that] it's just one point. I'm more confident in myself.
DR: I would say [it's in] how close we are with each other. We've become a lot closer with each other, and we hang out outside volleyball to get to know each other more, which will help us on the volleyball court.
Q: How has the team adjusted to the challenges of 2020?
DR: It's brought us together. I know when this all happened, we weren't allowed to be in the gym together. Once we got back together, we were just like, "Alright, let's go after it. Let's get it."
Lauren Myrick was the final addition to the 2020 squad this summer after the sophomore outside/right side hitter joined MSU from Lipscomb. A Louisville, Kentucky, native, Myrick tallied double-digit kills in eight matches and picked up two double-doubles in her freshman season.
Q: Collegiate volleyball is not new to you, but playing in the SEC and with this team is. What are your expectations?
LM: I think it's a lot more competitive. The SEC is such a big conference, and there are so many big names in the conference that it's going to be a lot of fun to play against these big teams and take some sets and take some matches.
Q: How have you improved since joining the team? How has the team improved?
LM: I've become a lot more open. I wasn't very vocal last year, and I think that's something that I've been trying to work on. I'm gaining confidence every practice. It's become more and more competitive since we started playing at the end of summer.
Q: How has the team faced the challenges of 2020?
LM: We've done a really good job of pushing through it and also working really hard in practice.
Coaches never stop learning 😂#HailState🐶 | @julesdarty pic.twitter.com/KmgKP3oxkZ
— Mississippi State Volleyball (@HailStateVB) September 25, 2020
State fans will be able to participate in home gamedays in a new, safe way this fall, as Maroon Memories introduced "State Stand-Ins," stadium cutouts that will fill the Newell-Grissom Building. More information on how to purchase is available at MaroonMemories.com.
Deja Robinson was a Freshman All-SEC performer in 2018, then led the team in blocks as a sophomore (107). The junior middle blocker collected double-digit kills in eight matches last season, and boasted a hitting percentage of .292 or better in six of those matches.
Q: With two solid seasons under your belt, how do you feel going into the 2020 season?
DR: I feel really good. I'm super excited about just being in the gym with everyone and seeing how competitive we all are. We're getting so much better, and I think we're all ready for another team across the net.
Q: How have you grown since the end of last season? How has the team grown?
DR: I definitely would say my confidence has gone up a lot because in the past I would get so frustrated with myself, but I think this year, I put that aside. I would tell myself to reset, [knowing that] it's just one point. I'm more confident in myself.
DR: I would say [it's in] how close we are with each other. We've become a lot closer with each other, and we hang out outside volleyball to get to know each other more, which will help us on the volleyball court.
Q: How has the team adjusted to the challenges of 2020?
DR: It's brought us together. I know when this all happened, we weren't allowed to be in the gym together. Once we got back together, we were just like, "Alright, let's go after it. Let's get it."
Lessons from a Legend 🐐 #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/vtJ0UEQCMr
— Mississippi State Volleyball (@HailStateVB) September 22, 2020
Lauren Myrick was the final addition to the 2020 squad this summer after the sophomore outside/right side hitter joined MSU from Lipscomb. A Louisville, Kentucky, native, Myrick tallied double-digit kills in eight matches and picked up two double-doubles in her freshman season.
Q: Collegiate volleyball is not new to you, but playing in the SEC and with this team is. What are your expectations?
LM: I think it's a lot more competitive. The SEC is such a big conference, and there are so many big names in the conference that it's going to be a lot of fun to play against these big teams and take some sets and take some matches.
Q: How have you improved since joining the team? How has the team improved?
LM: I've become a lot more open. I wasn't very vocal last year, and I think that's something that I've been trying to work on. I'm gaining confidence every practice. It's become more and more competitive since we started playing at the end of summer.
Q: How has the team faced the challenges of 2020?
LM: We've done a really good job of pushing through it and also working really hard in practice.
Players Mentioned
OH/RS
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