Bulldogs Make It Five Straight Wins After Defeating Oklahoma and Ball State

Saturday, September 3

Nashville, Tenn.

11:00 AM

Mississippi State

4-0,0-0SEC

Oklahoma

3-2,0-0Big 12

Oklahoma

Mississippi St.

Bulldogs Make It Five Straight Wins After Defeating Oklahoma and Ball State

September 03, 2022 | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Olivia Hooten, Communications Fellow

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Mississippi State volleyball team swept the weekend with a five-set victory over Oklahoma (3-2) and a sweep over Ball State (3-0).

"I'm so proud of this team and the fight they put up today," said head coach Julie Darty Dennis. "We had a brutal schedule and that didn't stop us from going all out against two really tough teams and gutting out two well-earned wins. We are firing on all cylinders and I love to see the balance in our offense right now."

The first match against Oklahoma, the Bulldogs got its shot at redemption and stormed past Oklahoma in a hard fought 3-2 comeback [20-25, 21-25, 27-25, 27-25, 15-3].

State (5-0) wiped away a 2-0 hole over the Big 12 Sooners. It marks MSU's second win in program history over Oklahoma, the last time was a four-set 3-1 victory on Sept. 10, 2021.

Mississippi State saved its best for the winner-take-all fifth frame as the Maroon and White crushed 7 kills on 14 swings for a .357 hitting percentage. The Bulldogs held the Sooners to a -.312 hitting percentage in the fifth set.

"I'm so proud of the team for handling pressure and responding like they did," said Dennis. "We are really starting to figure out some stuff and that's exciting for me to see. Our depth continues to be our strength and we are playing with a lot of composure, belief and trust right now."

Gabby Waden, the tournament MVP, powered home 25 kills for a .420 attacking percentage. She also tacked on six digs and one block.

Lauren Myrick, an All-Tournament pick, powered home 16 kills, seven digs and one block against the Sooners. Gabby Coulter joined Myrick as an All-Tournament pick, with a double-double performance by accumulating a career-high 62 assists and 12 digs.

Shania Cromartie played a big role in the five-set victory by adding 20 kills on 31 attempts with a .581 attacking percentage. Lilly Gunter sprawled out for a match-leading 24 digs, while adding seven assists and three service aces.

The Bulldogs continued the momentum into the 3-0 sweep over Ball State on the afternoon. State took the first set by a score of 30-28 and MSU kept it rolling in the second set, claiming a 25-16 victory before closing out the match 25-18 in the final frame.

MSU posted 55 kills, led by Myrick who captured 18 kills, while Waden followed right behind with 17 kills. Deja Robinson posted eight kills and seven blocks of her own.

Coulter captioned the Bulldogs offense for a second straight match with 45 assists and nine digs. She also added one kill of her own. Gunter led the Bulldogs for the second time with 16 digs, while adding four assists.
Cromartie managed six kills, three digs and one block, while Rebecca Walk picked up five kills and two blocks of her own.

"After a long five setter against Oklahoma, it was awesome to see a total team win against Ball State," Dennis said. "Very impressed with our composure and confidence in some tight situations. We are excited to come home and host the maroon and white invite next weekend and get our FaMily to help us #PackTheGriss!"

The Bulldogs head home for the first time this season for the Maroon and White Invite. The Bulldogs play host to Kennesaw State (Thursday – 6 p.m.), Houston (Friday – 6 p.m.) and South Alabama (Saturday – 3 p.m.).

For more information on the Bulldog volleyball program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateVB" on Twitter, Instagramand Facebook.