Bulldogs Sweep Big Ten x SEC Challenge

Friday, September 4

Starkville

6 p.m.

Mississippi State

4-1,0-0SEC

Northwestern

2-3,0-0Big Ten

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Northwestern	18	25	13	18	1
Mississippi St.	25	16	25	25	3

Bulldogs Sweep Big Ten x SEC Challenge

September 04, 2026 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Will Simmons, Assistant Director/Communications

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State volleyball moved to 4-1 on the season and picked up their second consecutive victory over a Big Ten opponent, as they took Friday night's matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats in four sets. The Dawgs took set one 25-18, set three 25-13 and set four 25-18.

"What a gritty win for the Dawgs. This has been two solid days of some good, physical, Big Ten teams who came into The Griss and made us fight," head coach Julie Darty Dennis said. "I'm so proud of our defensive effort. McKenna [Yates] has had two great days on the back line. Our service pressure was consistently great and allowed us to play good defense. 17 people took part in this win, and 17 people continue to take part in our success. It's all about us playing hard together. We have a lot of work to do as we head into the ACC Challenge, but I'm proud of the overall effort across the past two days and hwo we gut it out to get wins."

The Bulldogs hit a .317 on the night as a team, the highest in a single match this season. Lindsey Mangelson led the Bulldog offense in the final match of the challenge, picking up a team-leading 17 kills on 34 swings, finishing the match with a .412 hitting percentage.

Bernardita Aguilar finished the match with 15 kills, her second consecutive 15+ kill performance. Aguilar also picked up a double double with 10 digs in the contest, along with four block assists.

Cayley Hanson collected a double double as well with 37 assists and 10 digs. Hanson picked up five kills of her own on top of her role facilitating the offense at a 1.000 hitting percentage.

McKenna Yates led the team 14 digs in the contest. Gha'Naye Whitfield-Moss grabbed a team-leading five blocks. Noella Obi added eight kills to the Bulldog cause and collected two blocks.

The Bulldogs will return to action on Tuesday, September 8, for the Showdown At The Net. State will be hitting the road to take on ACC foe, Wake Forest. The match is set for a 6:30 p.m. start on ACCNX.

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