Friday, September 27
Lexington, Ky.
6:00 PM
Mississippi State
at
Kentucky
Photo by: Blake Williams/MSU Athletics
Volleyball Set to Open SEC Play
September 26, 2019 | Volleyball
By Austin Coats, Graduate Assistant/Communications
STARKVILLE – After going 11-1 in non-conference play to start the 2019 campaign, the Mississippi State volleyball team gets a new test as SEC play begins this weekend.
The Bulldogs open league competition with a trip to Lexington, Kentucky Friday (Sept. 27) to face No. 16 Kentucky at 6 p.m. CT. State will then host LSU in Starkville at the Newell-Grissom Building on Sunday (Sept. 29) at 1 p.m.
"We are so excited to start our 'second season,'" head coach Julie Darty said. "It's nice to go into league play with some wins under our belt, but it's a clean slate and we know that the work we put in during non-conference was all to prepare us for this part of our season. I am looking forward to this next chapter and excited to see how we respond to this level of opponent across the net. I still want the focus to be on us and being consistently comfortable and confident in who we are."
Both matches will be available via live stream with SEC Network+.
An NCAA tournament team in 2018, Kentucky has started its season with a 7-4 record, including a 3-2 ledger against ranked opponents.
"Playing at Kentucky is always challenging and fun because they are an established and nationally ranked program, and that's such a cool opportunity for us," Darty said. "We get to play in this league for a reason and we are excited for a big match like this to start SEC play."
MSU's SEC home opener comes Sunday against LSU, who opened league play with a 3-0 win over Arkansas Wednesday.
"We are really excited about coming home to face LSU," Darty said. "Having the chance to play on our home court is such a privilege for us. We love playing at home and we feel the support of the fans behind us. We are really trying to be that same team home and away, though."
State's great start can be credited to great defense. The squad ranks No. 2 in the SEC in blocks (2.59 per set) and No. 3 in opponent hitting percentage (.156) and digs (15.14 per set). Additionally, sophomore Deja Robinson is tied for 8th in the league with 1.07 blocks per set, while senior Alleah Stamatis sits 10th with 3.24 digs per set.
Stamatis ranks within the league's top 10 in four categories. The setter also lands among the SEC's best in double-doubles (first - 7), service aces (fourth - 0.37) and assists (10th - 3.24).
Friday's match is a homecoming for Stamatis, who is a Lexington, Ky. native.
Stamatis' league-leading double-double count boosts an MSU team that is second in the conference in double-double with a total of 13. A league-leading five student-athletes and three freshmen have recorded double-doubles in 2019.
Offensively for MSU, sophomore Gabby Waden has been on fire all season long. Waden also finds herself in the SEC rankings, coming in at No. 7 in hitting percentage (.363), kills (3.35 per set) and points (3.76 per set).
Waden's .363 hitting mark is the best among SEC student-athletes with at least 100 kills.
Promotions
Sundays at The Griss mean sundaes at The Griss! The first 100 fans in attendance at MSU volleyball's SEC home opener against LSU will be treated to an ice cream bar.
Weekend Schedule
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.
STARKVILLE – After going 11-1 in non-conference play to start the 2019 campaign, the Mississippi State volleyball team gets a new test as SEC play begins this weekend.
The Bulldogs open league competition with a trip to Lexington, Kentucky Friday (Sept. 27) to face No. 16 Kentucky at 6 p.m. CT. State will then host LSU in Starkville at the Newell-Grissom Building on Sunday (Sept. 29) at 1 p.m.
"We are so excited to start our 'second season,'" head coach Julie Darty said. "It's nice to go into league play with some wins under our belt, but it's a clean slate and we know that the work we put in during non-conference was all to prepare us for this part of our season. I am looking forward to this next chapter and excited to see how we respond to this level of opponent across the net. I still want the focus to be on us and being consistently comfortable and confident in who we are."
Both matches will be available via live stream with SEC Network+.
An NCAA tournament team in 2018, Kentucky has started its season with a 7-4 record, including a 3-2 ledger against ranked opponents.
"Playing at Kentucky is always challenging and fun because they are an established and nationally ranked program, and that's such a cool opportunity for us," Darty said. "We get to play in this league for a reason and we are excited for a big match like this to start SEC play."
MSU's SEC home opener comes Sunday against LSU, who opened league play with a 3-0 win over Arkansas Wednesday.
"We are really excited about coming home to face LSU," Darty said. "Having the chance to play on our home court is such a privilege for us. We love playing at home and we feel the support of the fans behind us. We are really trying to be that same team home and away, though."
State's great start can be credited to great defense. The squad ranks No. 2 in the SEC in blocks (2.59 per set) and No. 3 in opponent hitting percentage (.156) and digs (15.14 per set). Additionally, sophomore Deja Robinson is tied for 8th in the league with 1.07 blocks per set, while senior Alleah Stamatis sits 10th with 3.24 digs per set.
Stamatis ranks within the league's top 10 in four categories. The setter also lands among the SEC's best in double-doubles (first - 7), service aces (fourth - 0.37) and assists (10th - 3.24).
Friday's match is a homecoming for Stamatis, who is a Lexington, Ky. native.
Stamatis' league-leading double-double count boosts an MSU team that is second in the conference in double-double with a total of 13. A league-leading five student-athletes and three freshmen have recorded double-doubles in 2019.
Offensively for MSU, sophomore Gabby Waden has been on fire all season long. Waden also finds herself in the SEC rankings, coming in at No. 7 in hitting percentage (.363), kills (3.35 per set) and points (3.76 per set).
Waden's .363 hitting mark is the best among SEC student-athletes with at least 100 kills.
Promotions
Sundays at The Griss mean sundaes at The Griss! The first 100 fans in attendance at MSU volleyball's SEC home opener against LSU will be treated to an ice cream bar.
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Time | Matchup | Stream | Live Stats |
| Friday, Sept. 27 | 6 p.m. CT | at Kentucky | SEC Network+ | https://hailst.at/2m4ezrq |
| Sunday, Sept. 29 | 1 p.m. CT | LSU | SEC Network+ | https://hailst.at/2lRLOhH |
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the program on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching @HailStateVB.
Players Mentioned
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gabby waden interview - 11/3/21
Thursday, November 04
Shania Cromartie Post Match Interview - 10/24/21
Tuesday, October 26
Mississippi State Volleyball vs. Texas A&M - 10/24/21
Sunday, October 24