Digging Into Dawgs’ Dominant Start
September 24, 2025 | Volleyball
MSU is 10-0 for only the second time in program history.
STARKVILLE – What a start it has been for Mississippi State volleyball. As the Bulldogs get set to open up Southeastern Conference play against No. 18 Florida on Friday, MSU is rolling.
As league play begins, it bears appreciating what State has been able to do up to this point.
MSU is one of only two SEC teams still undefeated. The Bulldogs boast a perfect 10-0 record, marking just the second time in program history they've won their first 10 matches of a season. The only other such occasion came in 2000.
To show just how dominant the Dawgs were in non-conference play, over the first 34 sets this year, State has only dropped a total of four,
Sophomore setter Cayley Hanson has made a huge impact for the Bulldogs thus far, averaging 11.41 assists per set, which is fourth in the nation, and totaling 388 assists through the first 10 matches.
In State's 3-1 victory over South Alabama last week, Hanson notched a career-high 51 assists to build momentum heading into conference play.
Freshman outside hitter Lindsey Mangelson has made her presence known in her first 10 matches with the Bulldogs. She has recorded a total of 168.5 points during non-conference play, averaging 5.81 points per set, which puts her with great company at third in the country.
Mangelson is also fifth in the NCAA averaging 4.97 kills per set, the only freshman to appear in the top 50. Her contributions have guided the Bulldogs to the 10th-most kills per set as a team with 14.53.
In addition, Mangelson served 15 aces in the first 10 matches, which is the 46th-most among all Division I players.
Middle blocker Gha'Naye Whitfield-Moss and opposite Noella Obi have also set the tone defensively for State, combining for 85 total blocks thus far. As a team, the Maroon and White averages 2.79 blocks per set, which is good for 19th-most in the country and third in the SEC.
The Bulldogs now get the chance to try and take their non-conference success right into the league slate. It won't be easy.
Six of the 15 upcoming SEC opponents for State are currently ranked in the top 25, starting with the Gators at 7 p.m. CT on Friday night.
Let the next challenge begin for this talented bunch of Bulldogs.
