Volleyball Bulldogs Head West For Labor Day Weekend Tournament
MSU (2-1) takes on Boston College (4-0) Friday at 8 p.m. (CDT) before squaring off Saturday against a pair of nationally-ranked foes, No. 23 Northern Iowa (2-1) and No. 5 Southern California (3-0). Both Northern Iowa and defending Pac-12 Conference champion USC participated in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
It's the second straight Labor Day weekend tournament in California for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs journeyed to Stockton, Calif., and registered a 1-2 mark in the 2011 Community Bankers Classic hosted by the University of the Pacific.
Last weekend the Bulldogs bested Jackson State (3-0) and ULM (3-1) before dropping a five-set marathon to Kennesaw State (3-2) in the championship match of the season-opening MSU Maroon Classic. All six State freshmen saw playing time in the tourney and four drew starts during a weekend punctuated with solid defensive play by the Bulldogs.
Freshman libero Roxanne McVey (Magnolia, Texas) etched her name in the MSU record book on opening weekend, breaking the 21-year old school record for digs in a match with 42 in the Maroon Classic title match. McVey finished the weekend with an SEC-leading 88 digs and garnered SEC Freshman of the Week honors. Bulldogs players registered 11 double-digit digs totals in three matches and bolted to the SEC's team lead in digs with 267.
Another Bulldog rookie, middle blocker Alex Warren (San Antonio, Texas) turned in a strong performance at the net, totaling 15 blocks, second-most in the SEC on opening weekend.
Rookie outside hitter Taylor Scott (Claremont, Calif.), one of two California natives on the MSU team, enters the weekend with a team-leading 46 kills. Scott also registered 45 digs on opening weekend.
After this weekend's tournament in California, the Bulldogs wrap up their non-conference tournament slate with competition the Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Classic in New Orleans.
