Dawgs Make History With 3-1 Win Over Razorbacks

Saturday, November 20

Fayetteville, Ark.

5:00 PM

Mississippi State

23-5,14-2SEC

Arkansas

18-9,9-7SEC

Mississippi St.

Arkansas

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Dawgs Make History With 3-1 Win Over Razorbacks

November 20, 2021 | Volleyball

Box Score Final Stats

State extended its winning streak to 11 matches with the win over Arkansas

By: Anna Claire Thomas, Associate Director/Communications

FAYETTEVILLE – The 2021 Mississippi State volleyball team officially etched its name in the history books with a 3-1 win at Arkansas on Saturday as the Dawgs recorded their 23rd win of the year to set a new program record for most wins in a single season.

The win is the 11th straight for Mississippi State and fifth consecutive road win for head coach Julie Darty Dennis and the Dawgs. State's 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 25-18) victory over Arkansas on Saturday improved the Dawgs' overall record to 23-5 with a 14-2 mark in SEC play.

"We are really excited to celebrate 23 wins and this is something we are very proud of, but we are not done yet," Dennis said. "The regular season is not over and we still have a lot left to accomplish, but it is awesome for us to be able to make a name for ourselves. The 2021 Mississippi State volleyball program is doing something that no other team has ever done. The 18 young ladies that are part of this program have sacrificed a lot and made big commitments to be a part of something special and write our own story. I just want to celebrate every single one of them because it is all them making this happen."

Gabby Waden led the way offensively, accounting for 20.5 points with 17 kills, a .344 attacking clip and six total blocks. Waden powered home 10-plus kills for the 21st time this season, including during 15 of 16 SEC matches and 20 of her last 23 outings for the Dawgs.

After the two teams split the first two sets, the Dawgs found themselves down 15-11 at the media timeout in the third before Francesca McBride entered the match for the first time as a substitute. From there, McBride was the difference maker, notching five kills on nine attempts (.556 pct.) and adding four blocks at the net to help State close out the final two sets. Sania Petties also entered the match in the second set and ended the night with two kills, three assists and five total blocks.

"It was absolutely unbelievable to see Sania come off the bench in the middle and for Fran to have the night she did," Dennis said. "She was a difference maker at the net. Her blocks were incredible. Yesterday at practice, she shut down every single one of our outsides and our hitting lines, so it was really awesome to see that translate from practice to a match. It was great for her to get in and just seize the moment and take that opportunity. She was great offensively, she was great defensively and I think she was that spark plug that our bench just really was able to find the momentum and ride it."

Lauren Myrick recorded her 15th double-double of the season and the 18th of her career after registering 10 kills and 16 digs in the four-set victory. Gabby Coulter (19 assists, 10 digs) and Margaret Dean (18 assists, 15 digs) also posted double-doubles to help State clinch its 11th straight win.

The win was State's first over the Razorbacks since Sept. 24, 2010, while it marked the first victory in Fayetteville in 14 years when the Dawgs defeated Arkansas, 3-1, at Barnhill Arena during the 2007 campaign.

NEXT UP

The Dawgs will close out the road series against the Razorbacks at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville. Sunday's match between Mississippi State and Arkansas will be televised on SEC Network.

Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on the volleyball program. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateVB' on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.