Another Road Test For The Bulldogs

KENNESAW, Ga. – Mississippi State's volleyball program will look to build on its 4-1 record as the Bulldogs head to Kennesaw for the Kennesaw State Invitational.

"We are looking forward to another opportunity to compete," head coach Julie Darty Denis said. "These are three really tough teams and we know this will continue to push us to be the best version of ourselves. I am excited for our team to continue to grow and move in the right direction together. Hail State!"

The Bulldogs opened the 2023 campaign with a sweep of the StarkVegas Classic followed by going 1-1 last weekend at the UCF Challenge. This weekend is MSU's second-straight road test. Coverage of the tournament will be available via live stats and the Bulldogs match against Kennesaw State will be streamed via ESPN+.

State and Western Michigan will face off Friday, Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. CT to open the Kennesaw State Invitational. It will be the first meeting between the two programs.

At 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Bulldogs meet host Kennesaw State for the third time in MSU volleyball history. The last time State saw the Owls was in Starkville on Sept. 8, 2022 with Mississippi State earning a 3-0 victory.

The tournament finale is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday when State takes on Wake Forest. The Bulldogs and Demon Deacons have meet only one other time, with Wake Forest taking the match 3-0 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Aug. 31, 2001.

Lauren Myrick has been fueling Mississippi State's back row. For the season, Myrick has amassed 5.44 digs per set through five matches. She has totaled 98 digs, 19 assists and five aces.

Alexa Fortin Goede and Emily Oerther have been a vital part in the 6-2 offense. Goede has captured 93 assists (5.17 per set) and 34 digs (1.89 per set) throughout the season, with Oerther following behind with 83 assists (4.61 per set) and 23 digs (1.28 per set).

Karli Schmidt leads the Bulldogs in kills for the year and has led in kills in all five matches. The senior outside hitter has tallied 74 kills (4.11 per set). Senior middle blocker Rebecca Walk has garnered 25 kills and 13 blocks.

Sophomore Sophie Agee has accumulated 36 kills and 34 digs, while Shackelford has collected 32 kills and leads the team with 15 blocks.

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

Mississippi State University Athletics

Another Road Test For The Bulldogs

Players Mentioned

Sophie Agee

Alexa Fortin Goede

Lauren Myrick

Emily Oerther

Karli Schmidt

Rebecca Walk

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