Mississippi State
1-3,0-0SEC
Notre Dame
3-1,0-0ACC
Bulldogs Fall to Notre Dame in Five Sets
September 08, 2024 | Volleyball
STARKVILLE - The Bulldogs fought tooth and nail until the end but were unable to complete the reverse sweep, as they dropped Sunday's matchup to the Fighting Irish 3-2. Â
"We're close. We had some moments with small lapses in judgement. We're growing, we're learning, and I think we're moving in the right direction," Coach Julie Darty Dennis said. "We out blocked and out dug Notre Dame, there were just a few too many errors on our side. Notre Dame is such a good risk management team, and they kept the ball in play. We have some work to do this week, but we're moving in the right direction."Â
After losing the first two sets 25-20 and 26-24, the Bulldogs completed a comeback in set three, winning 25-20 to force a fourth set. The fourth set was back and forth, as the Bulldogs battled back from a three-point deficit late in the match. A kill from Amina Shackelford tied the set and a kill from Kailin Newsome sent the match to set five. State would then drop the fifth set 15-7. Â
Newsome picked up her fourth double-double in as many games. Newsome led the team and picked up season-highs with 25 kills, 26 points and 22 digs. Â
"Kailin was huge for us tonight. I can't ask anything else from here, she was ridiculous with 25 kills," Dennis said. "A big part of what she brings to our team is experience. She's been in those situations where you're down 0-2 and must come from behind. It's huge to have her be a part of this team."Â
Rebecca Walk was a rock for the middle of the Bulldogs attack, as she hit a team-best .667, the best attacking percentage of any Bulldog this season, and the first to hit over .500 since November 22, 2023. Â
"Our setters started setting the middle more consistently," Dennis said. "Becca did a good job stepping up when she had those chances."Â
Both setters picked up double-doubles in today's matchup. Erin Kline broke two career-highs collecting 32 assists, 18 digs, and tied her career high service aces with two. Â
Karli Schmidt and Arianna Beckham were the other two Bulldogs with double-digit kills. Schmidt picked up 15, while Beckham tallied 13, a personal season high. Â
At the libero spot, Mary Neal picked up 10 digs with 7 assists. In her first career appearance, McKenna Yates matched Neal with 10 digs and picked up one assist. Â
The Bulldogs will play again next Friday in the Green Wave Classic in New Orleans against Tulane at 6:30 p.m. The matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Â
Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on volleyball. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateVB' on X, Facebook and Instagram.
