Bulldogs Fall In Four-Set Contest At Alabama

Wednesday, October 12

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

8:00 PM

Mississippi State

11-9, 3-3SEC

Alabama

14-5, 3-3SEC

Mississippi State

Alabama

The Bulldogs fell in a 3-1 match against Alabama on Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa.

Bulldogs Fall In Four-Set Contest At Alabama

October 12, 2016 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score Box Score (PDF)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Despite opening up with a first-set victory, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-9, 3-3 SEC) could not turn back the Alabama Crimson Tide (14-5, 3-3 SEC), dropping a Wednesday night contest, 3-1, in Tuscaloosa.

State came out of the gates strong in the first set, taking a 25-21 win. However, the Bulldogs could not carry the momentum, as Alabama found victory in the next three sets to capture the match. The two teams split the season series, with both teams winning on their home courts.

"We started off strong tonight, but just lost our focus in the next three sets and you cannot do that on the road in the SEC," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "We made a lot of mental mistakes in this match and it cost us. Now we have to regroup and get ready to continue this road trip at Auburn on Sunday."

The Dogs earned a balanced performance in the opening frame, as four players tallied at least three kills. A kill from Jelena Vujcin and back-to-back aces from Evie Grace Singleton lit a fire under the Bulldogs midway through the set and forced an Alabama timeout. The Tide would try to chip away at State's lead, but only came as close as two, as the Bulldogs pulled out a 25-21 first-set victory.

Singleton turned on the jets in the second set, leading MSU with 8 kills. However, it would not be enough to secure a 2-0 lead. Tied at 10-10, UA strung together a 6-0 run and cruised from there, pulling out a 25-20 win.

The third set spelled much of the same, as MSU kept play close until an Alabama run midway through the frame, This time it was a 7-0 run highlighted by four-straight aces from Leah Lawrence. The Bulldogs would force a late timeout from the home team after cutting the lead to 23-20, but could not complete the comeback, dropping the set, 25-20, and giving UA a 2-1 lead.

Wednesday night's final set was all Alabama from the start, as the Tide jumped out to a 10-2 lead. MSU once again rallied late, but could not come any closer than two, as Alabama earned a 25-21 win and sealed the match, 3-1.

Singleton's 20 kills topped MSU for the night and marked her fifth match of the season with at least 20 kills. Vujcin followed with 13 kills, her seventh-straight match in double digits.

Blossom Sato tallied her fourth outing of at least 40 assists in the last five contests. That moves her career total to 1,444, 84 assists away from tying for ninth place in the MSU career record books.

State was unable to come out victorious in the blocking battle, but did see another solid showing from Jazmyne Johnson. Her 4 total blocks led the Dogs on the night. State had three players with double-digit digs, led by Cheyenne Spell, who had 20. That total marks her third match of the season with at least 20 digs. Emily Hill earned a career-high 14 digs, while Payton Harris turned in 12.

MSU will stay in the state of Alabama for its next contest, heading to Auburn for a Sunday, Oct. 16 showdown at Auburn Arena. The Bulldogs and Tigers are set for a 12 p.m. CT first serve on the SEC Network.

Week Schedule…
Wednesday, Oct. 12
Alabama def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-21)

Leading The Bulldogs…

Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 20
Assists: Blossom Sato, 40
Aces: Evie Grace Singleton, 4
Digs: Cheyenne Spell, 20
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 4
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 24.5

Singleton Strong On The Attack…
Senior Evie Grace Singleton turned in her fifth 20-plus kill performance of the season, as her 20 topped the Bulldogs on the night. She has now turned in double-digit kills in the last eight matches.

…And On The Serve…
Singleton was also a beast from the service line yet again. With 4 aces, the senior tied a season high set earlier this season at Tennessee and came one short of tying her career high.

Sato With Another Solid Night On The Court…
With 40 assists against the Crimson Tide, sophomore Blossom Sato turned in her fourth showing of 40-plus assists in the last five contests. She also turned in a trio of aces, with set a season high.

Hill With A Career Defensive Night…
Freshman Emily Hill has turned out strong performances on offense all season, but tonight her strength was on the other side of the ball. Hill turned out 14 digs on the night, a career high.

Record Watch: Blossom Sato…
With 40 assists on the night, sophomore Blossom Sato now has 1,444 career assists and stands 10^th on the MSU career assists list. She is just 84 assists away from tying for ninth place.

Record Watch: Payton Harris…
Junior Payton Harris now stands at 1,408 digs for her career and continues to make strides up the MSU record book. She currently holds fourth place on the school's career digs list and is 25 short of tying for third place. Melissa Kariker (1993-96) holds the school record with 1,707.

Up Next…
The Dogs will stay in the state of Alabama, as they head to Auburn for a Sunday afternoon battle with the Tigers. First serve from Auburn Arena is set for 12 p.m. CT and will be nationally televised on the SEC Network.

Social Media…
For more information on Mississippi State volleyball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateVB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."