VB Bulldogs Add Three Players In January

The newcomers include 6-2 middle blocker/outside hitter Kymberle Gordon from Canadaigua, New York (Canadaigua Academy/University of Akron), 5-9 outside hitter/libero Roxanne McVey from Magnolia, Texas (Tomball High School) and 6-0 middle blocker Sarah Nielsen from Cypress, Texas (Cy-Woods High School). Gordon, a freshman last fall at Akron, and December high school graduates McVey and Nielsen, are enrolled for the spring semester at Mississippi State and will be taking part in spring training and practice at the Newell-Grissom Building.

"Mississippi State Volleyball becomes significantly stronger with the addition of Kym, Roxanne and Sarah," said Hazelwood. "All three players come from very high levels of volleyball and have a great college future ahead of them."

"Kym brings a year of collegiate experience, which will help our young squad as we continue to grow," added Hazelwood. "Roxanne is a great passer and defensive player and is exactly what we needed to strengthen that area, and Sarah is a tremendous athlete who enjoyed much success playing against some of the best teams in high school and club volleyball. All three athletes will be available to take part in spring practice and will help push this program forward as we look to compete at the highest level."

Gordon registered 155 kills and ranked second on the team with 48 blocks and a .252 attack percentage last fall at Akron. She was a four-year starter at Canadaigua Academy and as a junior on CA's unbeaten 2009 state championship team was tabbed the MVP of the state tournament.

Nielsen, a three-time all-district performer at Cy-Fair HS, paced the Wildcats with 423 kills and 50 blocks and finished with 102 digs and 49 service aces as a senior. She was a four-time academic all-district honoree.

McVey, also a four-time all-district honoree, starred for four seasons at Tomball High School. She was honored as the co-MVP in the district for 2011, piling up 350 kills with 525 kills. She averaged better than 500 digs in each of her four prep seasons.

Mississippi State will begin spring team practice February 27.