Friday, September 16
Starkville
12:00 PM
Mississippi State
6-5
3
vs
2
Florida International
4-6
1
2
3
4
5
F
Florida Intl
21
25
20
25
9
2
Mississippi State
25
23
25
22
15
3
The Bulldogs opened the 2016 Maroon Classic in dominating fashion, defeating FIU and Troy on Friday.
Singleton Joins 1,000-Kill Club As MSU Sweeps Friday Play
September 16, 2016 | Volleyball
STARKVILLE, Miss – After two weekends on the road, the Mississippi State's volleyball team returned home to win a five-set thriller against Florida International (25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-9) and swept Troy (25-17, 25-19, 25-15) on the first day of the Maroon Classic.
The annual elementary day crowd saw Florida International push MSU to five sets. Senior Evie-Grace Singleton stole the show with her match-high 25 kills that featured her 1,000th-career kill. Not to be outdone, Jelena Vujcin showed her offensive prowess with a season-high 17 kills. Freshmen Emily Hill added 15 kills of her own, to make it the first time all season that three Bulldogs had 15 or more kills.
Set one was played evenly until MSU scored seven of final nine points to win 25-21. MSU dropped a closely contested second set 25-23. A 12-5 run in the third set turned the tide in the Bulldogs favor, winning 25-20. MSU dropped the fourth set 25-20 before winning the fifth and final set, 15-9m behind Singleton's 7 final-set kills.
As a team, the Bulldogs tallied 71 kills, which is the best in the McFatrich era and the most since State recorded 74 against UAB in 2013.
"We had a tough one to start the day against a solid Florida International squad, but our girls showed a lot of toughness to battle that one out," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "I'm really proud of Evie for breaking the 1,000-career kills mark today as well. That's a major accomplishment and a testament to her hard work over her career."
In the nightcap, a solid all-around team effort led the Maroon and White to a sweep of Troy and the team's fifth-straight home win. Hill and Vujcin again shined, leading the team in kills with 9 each, while Singleton added 8 kills of her own.
MSU never trailed in the first set, winning 25-17. In a more completive second set, the Bulldogs fed off the home energy to head into the locker room up 2-0, winning 25-19. Riding a 16-7 run to open the third and final set, MSU won in dominating fashion 25-15.
"We were very proud of how the girls responded after today's first match," McFatrich said. "They came out with high intensity and a ton of aggression against Troy and it paid off. That was a big-time win and a good step forward for this team. Now we're focused on taking care of business tomorrow."
The 2016 edition of the Maroon Classic concludes Saturday with a full slate of games. State plays Eastern Illinois at 2 p.m. CT and Portland at 7 p.m. CT with both games on SEC Network+.
2016 Maroon Classic Schedule…
Friday, Sept. 16
Mississippi State def. Florida International, 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-9)
Portland def. Troy, 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23, 15-8)
Florida International def. Eastern Illinois, 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-21)
Mississippi State def.. Troy, 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-15)
Saturday, Sept. 17
Troy vs. Eastern Illinois – 10 a.m.
Florida International vs. Portland – 12 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Eastern Illinois – 2 p.m.
Florida International vs. Troy – 5 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Portland – 7 p.m.
Home Sweet Griss…
The Bulldogs got back to their winning ways in their first matches back home at The Griss in three weeks. However, success at Newell-Grissom is not a new thing for the Maroon and White. State has won seven of its last eight matches in Starkville dating back to last season, including five straight. MSU's lone loss came in the season opener against No. 5 Kansas.
The Dogs Are Killing It…
Against the Florida International Panthers, the Bulldogs earned one of its best offensive showings in recent history. MSU tallied 71 total kills for the match, setting a season high. The 71 kills are the most since MSU earned 74 against UAB in 2013.
Fueling that offensive firepower were the team's 67 assists, which set a season high.
Bulldogs Getting Kills Across The Board…
Not only did State produce a large number of kills as a team, but also had a number of individuals contribute in big ways. For the first time this season, the Bulldogs had a trio of players earn 15-plus kills in a match, as Evie Grace Singleton turned in 25, Jelena Vujcin earned 17 and Emily Hill tallied 15.
Leading The Bulldogs…
MSU vs. Florida International
Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 25
Assists: Blossom Sato, 46
Aces: Riley Duzenack, 2
Digs: Cheyenne Spell, 12
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 6
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 28.0
MSU vs. Troy
Kills: Emily Hill & Jelena Vujcin, 9
Assists: Blossom Sato, 24
Aces: Cheyenne Spell, 3
Digs: Cheyenne Spell, 15
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 6
Points: Evie Grace Singleton & Jelena Vujcin, 10.5
Singleton Tallies Her 1,000th-Career Kill…
It's no secret that senior Evie Grace Singleton is one of the top offensive weapons in collegiate volleyball. On Friday, she added another honor to her career, joining the 1,000 Kills Club. The Little Rock, Ark., native entered Friday 20 kills short of reaching the milestone and eclipsed the mark with 25 against the Panthers.
Harris Inching Closer To MSU Career Digs Record…
After Friday's matches, junior Payton Harris is now eight digs short of Shauna Owens in fourth place (1,371).
Vujcin Just Gets Better And Better…
With every match, junior Jelena Vujcin seems to improve. On Friday, she kept the improvement rolling, as she earned a season-high 17 kills against Florida International.
Live Broadcast…
All of MSU's matches will be broadcast online on SEC Network +. Fans can access the matches through WatchESPN.com or through clicking the links below.
MSU vs. Eastern Illinois
MSU vs. Portland
Live Stats…
MSU will provide live stats for all nine matches this weekend. Fans can access live stats by going to HailState.com/livestats or by clicking the link below.
Maroon Classic Live Stats
Admission…
All matches at Newell-Grissom this weekend, as well as the entire season, are free admission.
Promotions:
A list of this weekend's promotions are listed below.
Saturday, Sept. 17
MSU vs. Eastern Illinois (2 p.m.):
- "Bully's Kids' Club Day"
- Inflatables outside of Newell-Grissom
- Chick-Fil-A giveaways and appearance by Bully
- "Minute To Win It" during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
MSU vs. Portland (7 p.m.):
- "International Student Night"
- Free t-shirts to the first 50 international students
- Supersize Serve contest during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
- Double Hail State Rewards points
SEC Play On Deck…
This weekend marks the end of non-conference play for the 2016 season, as MSU will begin SEC play next weekend on the road. The Bulldogs will start conference play at Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. CT and at Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 12:30 p.m. Both matches will be broadcasted on SEC Network +. State's home SEC slate will begin on Friday, Sept. 30, as MSU hosts Auburn at 7 p.m. on 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."
The annual elementary day crowd saw Florida International push MSU to five sets. Senior Evie-Grace Singleton stole the show with her match-high 25 kills that featured her 1,000th-career kill. Not to be outdone, Jelena Vujcin showed her offensive prowess with a season-high 17 kills. Freshmen Emily Hill added 15 kills of her own, to make it the first time all season that three Bulldogs had 15 or more kills.
Set one was played evenly until MSU scored seven of final nine points to win 25-21. MSU dropped a closely contested second set 25-23. A 12-5 run in the third set turned the tide in the Bulldogs favor, winning 25-20. MSU dropped the fourth set 25-20 before winning the fifth and final set, 15-9m behind Singleton's 7 final-set kills.
As a team, the Bulldogs tallied 71 kills, which is the best in the McFatrich era and the most since State recorded 74 against UAB in 2013.
"We had a tough one to start the day against a solid Florida International squad, but our girls showed a lot of toughness to battle that one out," MSU coach David McFatrich said. "I'm really proud of Evie for breaking the 1,000-career kills mark today as well. That's a major accomplishment and a testament to her hard work over her career."
In the nightcap, a solid all-around team effort led the Maroon and White to a sweep of Troy and the team's fifth-straight home win. Hill and Vujcin again shined, leading the team in kills with 9 each, while Singleton added 8 kills of her own.
MSU never trailed in the first set, winning 25-17. In a more completive second set, the Bulldogs fed off the home energy to head into the locker room up 2-0, winning 25-19. Riding a 16-7 run to open the third and final set, MSU won in dominating fashion 25-15.
"We were very proud of how the girls responded after today's first match," McFatrich said. "They came out with high intensity and a ton of aggression against Troy and it paid off. That was a big-time win and a good step forward for this team. Now we're focused on taking care of business tomorrow."
The 2016 edition of the Maroon Classic concludes Saturday with a full slate of games. State plays Eastern Illinois at 2 p.m. CT and Portland at 7 p.m. CT with both games on SEC Network+.
2016 Maroon Classic Schedule…
Friday, Sept. 16
Mississippi State def. Florida International, 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-9)
Portland def. Troy, 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23, 15-8)
Florida International def. Eastern Illinois, 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-21)
Mississippi State def.. Troy, 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-15)
Saturday, Sept. 17
Troy vs. Eastern Illinois – 10 a.m.
Florida International vs. Portland – 12 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Eastern Illinois – 2 p.m.
Florida International vs. Troy – 5 p.m.
Mississippi State vs. Portland – 7 p.m.
Home Sweet Griss…
The Bulldogs got back to their winning ways in their first matches back home at The Griss in three weeks. However, success at Newell-Grissom is not a new thing for the Maroon and White. State has won seven of its last eight matches in Starkville dating back to last season, including five straight. MSU's lone loss came in the season opener against No. 5 Kansas.
The Dogs Are Killing It…
Against the Florida International Panthers, the Bulldogs earned one of its best offensive showings in recent history. MSU tallied 71 total kills for the match, setting a season high. The 71 kills are the most since MSU earned 74 against UAB in 2013.
Fueling that offensive firepower were the team's 67 assists, which set a season high.
Bulldogs Getting Kills Across The Board…
Not only did State produce a large number of kills as a team, but also had a number of individuals contribute in big ways. For the first time this season, the Bulldogs had a trio of players earn 15-plus kills in a match, as Evie Grace Singleton turned in 25, Jelena Vujcin earned 17 and Emily Hill tallied 15.
Leading The Bulldogs…
MSU vs. Florida International
Kills: Evie Grace Singleton, 25
Assists: Blossom Sato, 46
Aces: Riley Duzenack, 2
Digs: Cheyenne Spell, 12
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 6
Points: Evie Grace Singleton, 28.0
MSU vs. Troy
Kills: Emily Hill & Jelena Vujcin, 9
Assists: Blossom Sato, 24
Aces: Cheyenne Spell, 3
Digs: Cheyenne Spell, 15
Blocks: Jazmyne Johnson, 6
Points: Evie Grace Singleton & Jelena Vujcin, 10.5
Singleton Tallies Her 1,000th-Career Kill…
It's no secret that senior Evie Grace Singleton is one of the top offensive weapons in collegiate volleyball. On Friday, she added another honor to her career, joining the 1,000 Kills Club. The Little Rock, Ark., native entered Friday 20 kills short of reaching the milestone and eclipsed the mark with 25 against the Panthers.
Harris Inching Closer To MSU Career Digs Record…
After Friday's matches, junior Payton Harris is now eight digs short of Shauna Owens in fourth place (1,371).
Vujcin Just Gets Better And Better…
With every match, junior Jelena Vujcin seems to improve. On Friday, she kept the improvement rolling, as she earned a season-high 17 kills against Florida International.
Live Broadcast…
All of MSU's matches will be broadcast online on SEC Network +. Fans can access the matches through WatchESPN.com or through clicking the links below.
MSU vs. Eastern Illinois
MSU vs. Portland
Live Stats…
MSU will provide live stats for all nine matches this weekend. Fans can access live stats by going to HailState.com/livestats or by clicking the link below.
Maroon Classic Live Stats
Admission…
All matches at Newell-Grissom this weekend, as well as the entire season, are free admission.
Promotions:
A list of this weekend's promotions are listed below.
Saturday, Sept. 17
MSU vs. Eastern Illinois (2 p.m.):
- "Bully's Kids' Club Day"
- Inflatables outside of Newell-Grissom
- Chick-Fil-A giveaways and appearance by Bully
- "Minute To Win It" during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
MSU vs. Portland (7 p.m.):
- "International Student Night"
- Free t-shirts to the first 50 international students
- Supersize Serve contest during intermission
- Free MSU contests and prizes given out throughout the match
- Double Hail State Rewards points
SEC Play On Deck…
This weekend marks the end of non-conference play for the 2016 season, as MSU will begin SEC play next weekend on the road. The Bulldogs will start conference play at Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. CT and at Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 12:30 p.m. Both matches will be broadcasted on SEC Network +. State's home SEC slate will begin on Friday, Sept. 30, as MSU hosts Auburn at 7 p.m. on 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."
Team Stats
FIU
MS
Kills
55
71
Errors
21
26
Attempts
128
149
Hitting %
.266
.302
Points
73.0
85.0
Assists
53
67
Aces
5
6
Blocks
13.0
8.0
Game Leaders
Kills
25
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
17
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
15
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Players Mentioned
S
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
RS/MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ VolleyballOPP/MB
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