Waden Delivers 19 Kills in Bulldog Loss at Tennessee

Friday, March 5

Knoxville, Tenn.

5:30 PM

Mississippi State

4-11,4-11SEC

Tennessee

7-6,7-6SEC

Mississippi St.

Tennessee

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Waden Delivers 19 Kills in Bulldog Loss at Tennessee

March 05, 2021 | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Austin Coats, Graduate Assistant/Communications

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Gabby Waden tallied 19 kills and two Bulldogs posted double-doubles, but Mississippi State volleyball fell in four sets at Tennessee Friday (March 5) night in the first match of a road series in Thompson-Boling Arena.

Mississippi State (4-11, 4-11 SEC) fought to tie the match at 1-1 after dropping the opening frame to the Lady Vols (7-6, 7-6 SEC), but Tennessee outlasted the Bulldogs in the third set, then used a long run in the final set to clinch the match victory.

"We saw a lot of fight tonight," MSU volleyball head coach Julie Darty Dennis said. "We are still trying to play better volleyball throughout matches though. I liked our serve and pass game and especially our serve.

"I think the mindset is shifting. We played really scrappy defense at times and that's something we have to own. Our block was getting quality touches and our back court was converting digs into transition opportunities."

Tying her third-highest total this season, Gabby Waden tallied 19 kills in another fantastic performance. The junior only committed two errors on 33 swings Friday night to record a season-high .515 hitting percentage. Callie Minshew added 10 kills.

Libero Lilly Gunter collected 17 digs, her third-highest total during her freshman season, to lead MSU defensively.

"Waden carried us again offensively, and I think we are reliant on that," Darty Dennis said. "We just need to get a couple of attackers involved and going for us to score more points."

For Tennessee, Morgahn Fingall tied Waden's match high 19 kills on a .319 hitting percentage. The Lady Vols hit .282 as a group against MSU's .185 mark.

"These double headers are fun," Darty Dennis said. "We get to compete again tomorrow, and I know that we are looking forward to another opportunity against Tennessee."

Match Notes

Following another fine performance, junior right side hitter Gabby Waden continued her great season and especially exceptional spring. In seven matches in the 2021 calendar year, Waden has averaged 4.26 kills per set and a .363 hitting percentage.
Both of MSU's setters recorded double-doubles; Gabby Coulter (28 assists, 12 digs) and Margaret Dean (13 assists, 10 digs). Dean now ranks No. 4 in the SEC with seven double-doubles.
With four blocks on Friday, graduate transfer middle blocker Jessica Kemp extended her streak of matches with three or more blocks to eight contests.

First Set (Tennessee 25, Mississippi State 17)

The Lady Vols hit .424 in the opening set to take a 1-0 lead in the match. Minshew's first kill of the evening gave State an early 6-4 lead, but Tennessee came back with five straight points to take a lead they would carry through the set. UT's Fingall tallied eight of her 19 kills in the first frame.

Second Set (Mississippi State 25, Tennessee 22)

MSU tied the match at 1-1 thanks to a solid offensive performance in the second set. Kemp collected five kills on seven swings without an error, followed by four kills each from Waden and Minshew as State averaged a .286 hitting mark in the frame. After State scored four straight to tie the set a 18-18, the two clubs traded points until State finished with five of the final six scores. Waden and Deja Robinson combined for a block to end the set.

Third Set (Tennessee 25, Mississippi State 22)

The Bulldogs and Lady Vols played a tight third set, but a late run gave Tennessee the edge and a 2-1 match lead. After a Lilly Gunter service ace brought State within one, 21-20, UT put together three consecutive scores to set up set point. Waden came back with a kill to force a Tennessee timeout, out of which Minshew added a kill of her own. On the next play, however, a service error gave the Lady Vols the frame.

Fourth Set (Tennessee 25, Mississippi State 14)

State took an early 7-3 lead, but it wouldn't last long. Tennessee scored 14 of the next 15 points in the set, and the Bulldogs couldn't recover as the Lady Vols won the final set, 25-14.

Up Next
The Bulldogs and Lady Vols will meet again Saturday (March 6) evening at 5:30 p.m. CT to close the series. State's final road match of the season can be streamed on the SEC Network+ digital platform.

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