Dawgs Fall Short in Season Debut

Friday, August 30

Birmingham, Ala.

6:30 p.m.

Mississippi State

0-1,0-0SEC

Samford

1-0,0-0SoCon

Mississippi St.

Samford

Dawgs Fall Short in Season Debut

August 30, 2024 | Volleyball

Box Score

By: William Simmons, Communications Fellow

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Mississippi State Bulldogs fell short in a hard-fought season debut, dropping the match 3-2. State was able to force five sets after starting down 2-0 but was unable to complete the comeback.

After dropping sets one and two, State bounced back in the third. The set saw five lead changes throughout the duration. With the set tied at 18 apiece, a pair of kills for Arianna Beckham and Sanaa Williams extended the Bulldogs lead and clinched a 25-20 set win.

State quickly jumped out to a 4-1 lead in set four. From there, Samford would jump back on a run of their own. Both teams went back and forth throughout the duration of the set, bringing it locked to 23-23. A Samford service error and a kill from Beckham helped the Bulldogs secure the fourth set, 25-23.

The season opener saw numerous Bulldogs make their debut in the Maroon and White, including Kailin Newsome. Newsome, along with Amina Shackelford, led the Bulldogs with 13 kills apiece. Shackelford attacked at a team-high .414.

Ceci Harness led the Bulldogs with assists with 27, while freshman Cayley Hanson picked up 10 assists in her first collegiate match. Mary Neal led the back line as the libero, picking up a team-high 17 digs.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday as they remain in Birmingham to take on UAB. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.

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