Saturday, September 10
Manhattan, Kan.
10:30 AM
Mississippi State
5-5
1
vs
3
Miami
5-4
1
2
3
4
F
Mississippi State
25
21
25
21
1
Miami
22
25
27
25
3
Despite showing grit from start to finish, the Bulldogs were unable to pull out the victory on Saturday, falling 3-1 to Miami (FL).
Volleyball Drops Match To Miami To Close Out Wildcat Classic
September 10, 2016 | Volleyball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – In a back-and-forth affair to close out the Wildcat Classic, the Mississippi State volleyball Bulldogs (5-5) were unable to come out on top, dropping a 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 25-21) decision to the Miami (FL) Hurricanes (5-4) Saturday morning.
The Bulldogs received a trio of double-digit kill performances, led by 17 from senior Evie Grace Singleton. Combo that with 8 blocks from senior Jazmyne Johnson and 26 assists from sophomore Blossom Sato, the Bulldogs outplayed the Hurricanes in three of the six major statistical categories. However, State could not come out on top on the scoreboard.
"This was a tough weekend for our team, but you have to give Miami credit. They played a tough match from the start," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "Our girls wanted this one, but Miami made the plays you need to make in crunch time to pull out the win. The good news is that there is a lot of volleyball left to be played. Right now we're ready to get home and get back to work for next weekend."
Despite the loss, none of the four sets came easy to either team, as both squads surpassed the 20-point mark in each frame. A total of 30 ties and 16 lead changes highlighted one of the more competitive matches of the Bulldogs' young 2016 season.
State gained the early advantage in the match by taking the opening set behind 9 kills from Singleton. The Hurricanes were actually the ones in control as the set hit the homestretch, leading 19-15 after a 5-0 run. From there Singleton took charge, leading MSU's surge into the lead behind a 6-1 streak. The Dogs would take the first set, 25-22, and were looking to ride the momentum into the second frame.
However, Saturday proved to be a match of runs and the second set started in favor of the Hurricanes, who went up 4-1 early. Miami pushed its lead to 14-10, but the tide turned after a Bali Leffall-Young kill, which sparked a 6-0 Bulldog run. The Hurricanes called for time, regrouped and rallied back to take 11 of the next 16 points to capture a 25-21 win and tie the match at 1-1.
The third set again started in Miami's favor, as the Hurricanes pushed out to as much as a 17-10 lead. The game of runs kept on, as State took its turn and fought all the way back to a 23-23 tie and eventually held set point, up 25-24. That was as far as the Bulldogs would get though, as a ball handling error sparked three-straight Hurricane points to give Miami a 27-25 set victory.
MSU found itself struggling throughout the day's final set, as the Dogs trailed 20-12 and looked to be done for the match. However, they once again showed grit, fighting all the way back to cut the lead to one, 22-21. Despite MSU's valiant rally, Miami once again reeled of a 3-0 run to close out the set, 25-21, and this time the match, 3-1.
The Bulldogs will now return to the friendly confines of the Newell-Grissom Building to close out non-conference play. The Maroon Classic runs from Sept. 16-17 at The Griss, with State welcoming Florida International, Troy, Eastern Illinois and Portland to Starkville.
2016 Wildcat Classic Schedule…
Friday, Sept. 9
Miami (FL) def. Loyola-Chicago, 3-2 (22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-12)
Kansas State def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (25-16, 24-26, 28-26, 25-16)
Loyola-Chicago def. Mississippi State, 3-2 (25-19, 21-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-7)
Kansas State def. Miami (FL), 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-23)
Saturday, Sept. 10
Miami (FL) def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 25-21)
Kansas State vs. Loyola-Chicago – 1 p.m.
First Meeting Struggles…
Five of the Bulldogs' opponents this year so far have been first-time foes. After going 0-3 this weekend, all against new opponents, MSU is now 1-4 this season against teams it faces for the first time.
Dogs Dominate On The Stat Sheet…
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs were dominant in the stats battle during Saturday morning's match, leading in three of the six major statistical categories. MSU won the battle in kills (53-50), assists (50-46) and blocks (13.0-12.0).
Leading The Bulldogs…
Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 17
Assists: Blossom Sato, 26
Aces: Payton Harris & Evie Grace Singleton, 2
Digs: Payton Harris, 14
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 8
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 19.5
Singleton Earns All-Tournament Honors…
Behind a 17-kill performance today and a team-best 46 kills throughout the weekend, senior Evie Grace Singleton landed on the Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team. Singleton has been a dominant force for State in tournament play since her arrival last year, as she has landed on the all-tourney team for all seven non-conference tournaments the Bulldogs have played in since the start of the 2015 season.
The Little Rock, Ark., native has been the Bulldogs' offensive leader this year so far, as her 155 kills pace State through three weekends. Singleton has captured 10-plus kills in eight of her last nine matches and 15-plus in five of her last seven.
Milestone Reached For Vujcin…
Entering Saturday's match, junior Jelena Vujcin was 10 kills short of reaching the 500-career kills mark. When the match came to a close, Vujcin hit the milestone square on the head. The 10 kills for the Serbia native helped her become the fourth Bulldog to reach the 500 mark, joining Evie Grace Singleton, Chelsea Duhs and Jazmyne Johnson.
Johnson Wraps Up A Solid Weekend…
After tying a career high for solo blocks last night against Loyola-Chicago, senior Jazmyne Johnson continued her dominance at the net with 8 block assists, which ties a career high. This is the third time the DeSoto, Texas, native has recorded 8 block assists in a match.
She also tallied 10 kills against the Hurricanes, which set a new season high. Last night Johnson recorded a then-season-high 8 kills against the Ramblers.
Harris Inching Closer To MSU Career Digs Record…
Junior Payton Harris earned 14 digs against Miami, putting her 14 digs short of Shauna Owens for fourth place on MSU's career digs list. Harris currently has 1,357 digs.
Just Hold On, We're Coming Home…
The Bulldogs will now return to The Griss for the final non-conference tournament of the year to host the 2016 Maroon Classic, welcoming Eastern Illinois, Portland, Troy and Florida International to Starkville for the two-day tourney.
Friday, Sept. 16
Mississippi State vs. FIU – 12 p.m.
Troy vs. Portland – 2 p.m.
FIU vs. Eastern Illinois – 5 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Troy – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17
Eastern Illinois vs. Troy – 10 a.m.
Portland vs. FIU – 12 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Eastern Illinois – 2 p.m.
Troy vs. FIU – 5 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Portland – 7 p.m.
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."
The Bulldogs received a trio of double-digit kill performances, led by 17 from senior Evie Grace Singleton. Combo that with 8 blocks from senior Jazmyne Johnson and 26 assists from sophomore Blossom Sato, the Bulldogs outplayed the Hurricanes in three of the six major statistical categories. However, State could not come out on top on the scoreboard.
"This was a tough weekend for our team, but you have to give Miami credit. They played a tough match from the start," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "Our girls wanted this one, but Miami made the plays you need to make in crunch time to pull out the win. The good news is that there is a lot of volleyball left to be played. Right now we're ready to get home and get back to work for next weekend."
Despite the loss, none of the four sets came easy to either team, as both squads surpassed the 20-point mark in each frame. A total of 30 ties and 16 lead changes highlighted one of the more competitive matches of the Bulldogs' young 2016 season.
State gained the early advantage in the match by taking the opening set behind 9 kills from Singleton. The Hurricanes were actually the ones in control as the set hit the homestretch, leading 19-15 after a 5-0 run. From there Singleton took charge, leading MSU's surge into the lead behind a 6-1 streak. The Dogs would take the first set, 25-22, and were looking to ride the momentum into the second frame.
However, Saturday proved to be a match of runs and the second set started in favor of the Hurricanes, who went up 4-1 early. Miami pushed its lead to 14-10, but the tide turned after a Bali Leffall-Young kill, which sparked a 6-0 Bulldog run. The Hurricanes called for time, regrouped and rallied back to take 11 of the next 16 points to capture a 25-21 win and tie the match at 1-1.
The third set again started in Miami's favor, as the Hurricanes pushed out to as much as a 17-10 lead. The game of runs kept on, as State took its turn and fought all the way back to a 23-23 tie and eventually held set point, up 25-24. That was as far as the Bulldogs would get though, as a ball handling error sparked three-straight Hurricane points to give Miami a 27-25 set victory.
MSU found itself struggling throughout the day's final set, as the Dogs trailed 20-12 and looked to be done for the match. However, they once again showed grit, fighting all the way back to cut the lead to one, 22-21. Despite MSU's valiant rally, Miami once again reeled of a 3-0 run to close out the set, 25-21, and this time the match, 3-1.
The Bulldogs will now return to the friendly confines of the Newell-Grissom Building to close out non-conference play. The Maroon Classic runs from Sept. 16-17 at The Griss, with State welcoming Florida International, Troy, Eastern Illinois and Portland to Starkville.
2016 Wildcat Classic Schedule…
Friday, Sept. 9
Miami (FL) def. Loyola-Chicago, 3-2 (22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-12)
Kansas State def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (25-16, 24-26, 28-26, 25-16)
Loyola-Chicago def. Mississippi State, 3-2 (25-19, 21-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-7)
Kansas State def. Miami (FL), 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-23)
Saturday, Sept. 10
Miami (FL) def. Mississippi State, 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 25-21)
Kansas State vs. Loyola-Chicago – 1 p.m.
First Meeting Struggles…
Five of the Bulldogs' opponents this year so far have been first-time foes. After going 0-3 this weekend, all against new opponents, MSU is now 1-4 this season against teams it faces for the first time.
Dogs Dominate On The Stat Sheet…
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs were dominant in the stats battle during Saturday morning's match, leading in three of the six major statistical categories. MSU won the battle in kills (53-50), assists (50-46) and blocks (13.0-12.0).
Leading The Bulldogs…
Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 17
Assists: Blossom Sato, 26
Aces: Payton Harris & Evie Grace Singleton, 2
Digs: Payton Harris, 14
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 8
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 19.5
Singleton Earns All-Tournament Honors…
Behind a 17-kill performance today and a team-best 46 kills throughout the weekend, senior Evie Grace Singleton landed on the Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team. Singleton has been a dominant force for State in tournament play since her arrival last year, as she has landed on the all-tourney team for all seven non-conference tournaments the Bulldogs have played in since the start of the 2015 season.
The Little Rock, Ark., native has been the Bulldogs' offensive leader this year so far, as her 155 kills pace State through three weekends. Singleton has captured 10-plus kills in eight of her last nine matches and 15-plus in five of her last seven.
Milestone Reached For Vujcin…
Entering Saturday's match, junior Jelena Vujcin was 10 kills short of reaching the 500-career kills mark. When the match came to a close, Vujcin hit the milestone square on the head. The 10 kills for the Serbia native helped her become the fourth Bulldog to reach the 500 mark, joining Evie Grace Singleton, Chelsea Duhs and Jazmyne Johnson.
Johnson Wraps Up A Solid Weekend…
After tying a career high for solo blocks last night against Loyola-Chicago, senior Jazmyne Johnson continued her dominance at the net with 8 block assists, which ties a career high. This is the third time the DeSoto, Texas, native has recorded 8 block assists in a match.
She also tallied 10 kills against the Hurricanes, which set a new season high. Last night Johnson recorded a then-season-high 8 kills against the Ramblers.
Harris Inching Closer To MSU Career Digs Record…
Junior Payton Harris earned 14 digs against Miami, putting her 14 digs short of Shauna Owens for fourth place on MSU's career digs list. Harris currently has 1,357 digs.
Just Hold On, We're Coming Home…
The Bulldogs will now return to The Griss for the final non-conference tournament of the year to host the 2016 Maroon Classic, welcoming Eastern Illinois, Portland, Troy and Florida International to Starkville for the two-day tourney.
Friday, Sept. 16
Mississippi State vs. FIU – 12 p.m.
Troy vs. Portland – 2 p.m.
FIU vs. Eastern Illinois – 5 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Troy – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17
Eastern Illinois vs. Troy – 10 a.m.
Portland vs. FIU – 12 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Eastern Illinois – 2 p.m.
Troy vs. FIU – 5 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Portland – 7 p.m.
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."
Team Stats
MS
UM
Kills
53
50
Errors
25
23
Attempts
138
128
Hitting %
.203
.211
Points
72.0
74.0
Assists
50
46
Aces
6
12
Blocks
13.0
12.0
Game Leaders
Kills
17
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
8
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
RS
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ VolleyballRS/MB
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballOPP/MB
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