Preview: Alabama and Texas

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State volleyball will continue the conference play season at home this weekend, taking on Alabama and Texas.

The Bulldogs opened conference play with a win over No. 23 Florida in five sets. They split the first weekend 1-1, dropping in three sets against Auburn. The Bulldogs tied for the best start in program history after the victory over the Gators at 11-0.

This weekend's matches will be held in The Griss and available to stream on SEC Network+. There will be free drink koozies and free food for students at Friday's match, and Sunday's match is themed "Christmas at The Griss".

Gameday Information
Friday, October 3 (6 p.m. CT) vs Alabama
Live Video: hailst.at/4o5W0wt
Live Stats: hailst.at/48KpECQ
Sunday, October 5 (2 p.m. CT) cs Texas
Live Video: hailst.at/47d3wyT
Live Stats: hailst.at/46TPRMN

The First Serve

The Bulldogs defeated then-No. 19 Florida for only the third time in history, and for only the second time in Gainesville last weekend.
Lindsey Mangelson currently leads the freshman class nationally in two different stats. She is the top freshman in three different stats in the SEC, where she leads the conference in points per set.
Four Bulldogs rank within the top six in the conference in 11 different statistics.
Cayley Hanson is sixth nationally and second in the SEC in assists per set.
State is in the top five for seven different statistical categories within the SEC.
Head coach Julie Darty Dennis is currently at 98 wins at MSU.

Scouting the opponent: Alabama

The Crimson Tide fell to Auburn in three sets and then-No. 19 Florida in four on its opening weekend of conference play.
Alabama is eighth nationally and leads the SEC with 2.21 aces per set, with Hannah Parant sixth individually and at the top of the conference with 0.67 aces per set.
Victoria Barratt leads the squads in kills at 168.
Parant leads the squad in assists at 391, and service aces at 29.
Trinity Stranger leads the team with 172 digs, averaging 4.00 per set.

Scouting the opponent: Texas

Texas is currently ranked No. 2 nationally and is one of two undefeated teams left in the country.
Texas leads in the conference in assists per set and kills per set.
The Longhorns lead the country in kills per set.
Cari Spears leads the team in kills at 144.
Emma Halter leads the team in digs at 135 over 38 sets played.

Series History

The Bulldogs are 21-52 against the Crimson Tide.
The last victory over Alabama was in 2023, sweeping the team in Tuscaloosa.
The last matchup between the two was in 2024, resulting in a 2-3 loss for the Bulldogs.
This will be the second matchup between the Bulldogs and the Longhorns.
Texas has a 1-0 winning streak, with 2024's matchup being a 1-3 loss for State.

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Players Mentioned

Cayley Hanson

Lindsey Mangelson

Mississippi State University Athletics