Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Bringing The Energy Every Day
August 29, 2024 | Volleyball
State volleyball eagerly anticipating the 2024 campaign.
STARKVILLE – At the Newell-Grissom Building on the campus of Mississippi State, the excitement for the upcoming volleyball season hits you like a tidal wave as the team makes its final preparations for the 2024 campaign.
The shouts and cheers from the talented mixture of newcomers and veterans on the State roster bring vitality to The Griss, even with the stands waiting to be filled by members of the Bulldog faithful.
"They've done a really good job of communicating with each other [and] helping instill our values, our culture and our team standards," head coach Julie Darty Dennis said of her 2024 squad. "The older girls always play with a different sense of urgency because it's coming to a close to the end of their career, and [they're] making sure that everybody is grateful for every opportunity and experience. It's a really exciting group and I truly enjoy coaching this group."
Over the summer, Dennis announced the addition of five transfers – Mele Corral-Blagojevich, Arianna Beckham, Kennedy Davis, Ceci Harness and Kailin Newsome.
Individually, each player brings their own unique style of play and talent on the court. But together, they are exuberant to suit up in the Maroon and White.
"They're super grateful to be here, which I love," Dennis said. "They're excited about the level of playing in the best conference in the country. They've all got a variety of experience [and] they've been successful at the schools they were at before. They're really hungry and really humble so I think they've come in and meshed really well with the eight that we had here in the spring. They've really blended quite nicely."
One of the eight members of the returning squad is graduate middle blocker Rebecca Walk. Entering her fourth year at State, Walk has cemented herself as one of the best middle blockers in the program's history.
Walk has used her experience to better herself as a leader for the Bulldogs and has worked extremely hard to bond with the newcomers on State's roster this season.
"It's been awesome. They've really bought into everything that us leaders have to say, and they've made our job a lot easier," Walk said. "We don't have to beg them to buy in. They've been all in and really eager [to learn] everything that we've taught."
Building an undeniable chemistry with players, coaches and staff is of the utmost importance if a program wants to be successful. Another factor that is key in building bonds is having the support to back you up.
Since he was hired as MSU's Athletic Director in January of 2023, Zac Selmon has been very vocal about his incredible support of women's athletics at State. Selmon's support has meant everything to Dennis and the volleyball program at MSU.
"[The support] is huge. They love to see Zac and his family in the stands," Dennis said. "Zac supports every team here so well and you can feel the support. It means a little bit more that he's so invested and enthusiastic to come talk to our team. He knows them so well and I think that means the most. The fact that our A.D. knows our players so well, that's what really resonates with them. It's been great for him to be around and we're super appreciative of all the support and resources he's given our team."
State opens the season on the road Friday, Aug. 30, at 6:30 p.m. CT against Samford and will face UAB on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. CT.
But do not fear Maroon and White faithful, State will return to Starkville to host the Starkvegas Classic on Sept. 6 against Michigan. Sooner than later, it will be time to throw a Darty party in the Griss.
"We have the best fans in the country and I'm so grateful that they come day in and day out and we're excited," Dennis said. "I know our home-opener is a little bit further away with it being September 6, but we can't wait to see them at The Griss."
The shouts and cheers from the talented mixture of newcomers and veterans on the State roster bring vitality to The Griss, even with the stands waiting to be filled by members of the Bulldog faithful.
"They've done a really good job of communicating with each other [and] helping instill our values, our culture and our team standards," head coach Julie Darty Dennis said of her 2024 squad. "The older girls always play with a different sense of urgency because it's coming to a close to the end of their career, and [they're] making sure that everybody is grateful for every opportunity and experience. It's a really exciting group and I truly enjoy coaching this group."
Over the summer, Dennis announced the addition of five transfers – Mele Corral-Blagojevich, Arianna Beckham, Kennedy Davis, Ceci Harness and Kailin Newsome.
Individually, each player brings their own unique style of play and talent on the court. But together, they are exuberant to suit up in the Maroon and White.
"They're super grateful to be here, which I love," Dennis said. "They're excited about the level of playing in the best conference in the country. They've all got a variety of experience [and] they've been successful at the schools they were at before. They're really hungry and really humble so I think they've come in and meshed really well with the eight that we had here in the spring. They've really blended quite nicely."
One of the eight members of the returning squad is graduate middle blocker Rebecca Walk. Entering her fourth year at State, Walk has cemented herself as one of the best middle blockers in the program's history.
Walk has used her experience to better herself as a leader for the Bulldogs and has worked extremely hard to bond with the newcomers on State's roster this season.
"It's been awesome. They've really bought into everything that us leaders have to say, and they've made our job a lot easier," Walk said. "We don't have to beg them to buy in. They've been all in and really eager [to learn] everything that we've taught."
Building an undeniable chemistry with players, coaches and staff is of the utmost importance if a program wants to be successful. Another factor that is key in building bonds is having the support to back you up.
Since he was hired as MSU's Athletic Director in January of 2023, Zac Selmon has been very vocal about his incredible support of women's athletics at State. Selmon's support has meant everything to Dennis and the volleyball program at MSU.
"[The support] is huge. They love to see Zac and his family in the stands," Dennis said. "Zac supports every team here so well and you can feel the support. It means a little bit more that he's so invested and enthusiastic to come talk to our team. He knows them so well and I think that means the most. The fact that our A.D. knows our players so well, that's what really resonates with them. It's been great for him to be around and we're super appreciative of all the support and resources he's given our team."
State opens the season on the road Friday, Aug. 30, at 6:30 p.m. CT against Samford and will face UAB on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. CT.
But do not fear Maroon and White faithful, State will return to Starkville to host the Starkvegas Classic on Sept. 6 against Michigan. Sooner than later, it will be time to throw a Darty party in the Griss.
"We have the best fans in the country and I'm so grateful that they come day in and day out and we're excited," Dennis said. "I know our home-opener is a little bit further away with it being September 6, but we can't wait to see them at The Griss."
Players Mentioned
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