Bulldogs Drop Midweek Contest At Arkansas

Wednesday, October 26

Fayetteville, Ark.

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

12-12, 4-6SEC

Arkansas

4-18, 2-8SEC

Mississippi State

Arkansas

Jelena Vujcin tallied a career-high 19 kills on the night at Arkansas.

Bulldogs Drop Midweek Contest At Arkansas

October 26, 2016 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score Box Score (PDF)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In a midweek clash on the SEC Network, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (12-12, 4-6 SEC) dropped a 3-1 decision to the Arkansas Razorbacks (4-18, 2-8 SEC) at Barnhill Arena on Wednesday.

State opened play with a 26-24 first-set victory, but could not fend off the Razorbacks over the next three frames. Arkansas used a number of runs throughout the final three sets to keep the Bulldogs at bay and secure the victory.

"That was a tough one tonight," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "We struggled in a number of areas and weren't able to capitalize in crunch time. Now we have to turn around and get ready for one of the top teams in the nation in Missouri."

MSU looked to be in control of the fourth set and poised to force a fifth set, up 21-15. A 6-0 run from the Razorbacks leveled play, but MSU was able to regain control and grab set point, up 24-23. A 4-1 run by the Hogs would seal the match, giving the home team a 3-1 victory.

Jelena Vujcin led the Bulldogs with a career-high 19 kills, while hitting .438 on the night. Singleton followed close behind with 17 kills, her best showing in an SEC match this season. Emily Hill was the third Bulldog with double-digit kills, tallying 12 on the night.

Blossom Sato led all Dogs with 38 assists, moving up to 8^th on MSU's career assist Top 10. Payton Harris earned 17 digs on the night, moving into sole possession of third place on MSU's career digs list.

Jazmyne Johnson, MSU's most dominant blocker of the season so far, earned a team-high 4 against Arkansas.

The Bulldogs will now turn their attention to a Sunday battle at Missouri (18-4, 9-1 SEC). MSU and the Tigers will square off at 1:30 p.m. CT, with the match broadcast on the SEC Network +.

Week Schedule…
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Arkansas def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 25-23, 27-25)

Leading The Bulldogs…

Kills: Jelena Vujcin, 19
Assists: Blossom Sato, 38
Aces: Riley Duzenack, 2
Digs: Payton Harris, 17
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 4
Points: Jelena Vujcin, 19.5

Career Night For Vujcin…
Junior Jelena Vujcin turned in a career night against Arkansas, tallying a career-high 19 kills (.438). Vujcin had a monster fourth set, nearly willing the Dogs to victory with 8 kills and a .636 attacking clip.

Sato Working Her Way Up The Record Books…
With 38 assists on the night, Sato moved up two spots to eighth place on the MSU career assists list with 1,557. She passed Tonia Strube (1987-88) and Andrea Mead (2002-05) and stands three away from tying Patty Hepler (1985-86) for seventh.

Harris Still Climbing Up MSU Career Digs List…
After earning 17 digs on the night, junior Payton Harris took over sole possession of third place on the MSU career digs list. She currently stands at 1,440 digs and is now 124 away from tying Megan Lukasek (2004-07) for second place. Melissa Kariker (1993-96) holds the school record with 1,707.

Hill Making Moves Up The MSU Freshman Record Book…
Emily Hill tallied 12 kills on 33 attacks against Arkansas, moving up the MSU freshman record book in both categories. With 279 kills, she now stands in sixth place, passing Melissa Kariker (1993). Her 738 attacks stand seventh, passing Aimee York (1989).

Up Next…
MSU closes out the week at Missouri (18-4, 9-1 SEC) on Sunday. The Dogs and Tigers square off at 1:30 p.m., 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."