Volleyball Preview: StarkVegas Classic

STARKVILLE – The Mississippi State Bulldogs are set to have their home opener this weekend in the Starkvegas Classic as they face Michigan on Friday and Notre Dame Sunday.

The first match is set to begin at 6 p.m. Friday against the Michigan Wolverines. Then, the Bulldogs will face off against Notre Dame on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches will take place at The Griss. These matches will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

Gameday Info
Friday, September 6 (6 p.m.) vs Michigan

Live Video: hailst.at/47w5lqp
Live Stats: hailst.at/3ZcaGAI

Sunday, September 8 (1 p.m.) vs Notre Dame

Live Video: hailst.at/47hpFLU
Live Stats: hailst.at/3Mx1kIe

Promotions/Giveaways
Friday, Sept. 6 – Light Up The Griss (LED Baton and Glow Stick Necklace Giveaway, Free Chicken Tenders to first 100 students)

Sunday, Sept. 8 – Griss Island (Beach Ball Giveaway to first 150 fans)

The First Serve

The Bulldogs are coming off a 3-1 win against the Blazers and will be making their home debut.
As the season is starting up, Kailin Newsome has started hot. She has tallied two double doubles in the first two games of the season.
Amina Shackelford hit efficient with a combined .400 hitting percentage in last week's matchups, while also racking up 28 kills.
Not far behind Shackelford is Karli Schmidt with 25 kills, and Newsome with 23. Schmidt led the Bulldogs with 19 kills against UAB, the highest kill total by a Bulldog this year.
Ceci Harness has amassed 60 assists in just two games, where she also picked up her first double-double of the season.
Cayley Hanson is right behind Harness, as she has collected 29 assists in 7 sets.
Defensive specialist Mary Neal has racked up 30 digs and 13 assists to begin her season for the Bulldogs. She tallied a team high 3 service aces.
Sanaa Williams has been a wall at the net with 10 block assists. Arissa Smith ranks second on the team with 8.
Arianna Beckham has completed 50 total attacks and earned 17 kills in only 9 sets.

Scouting the Opponent – Michigan

Currently undefeated (4-0).
Serena Nyambio leads the team in hitting percentage with .387.
Allison Jacobs leads the team in kills with 51; she also leads the team in total attacks with 153, and she has scored the most points with 55.5.
Morgan Burke is the team leader in assists with 148 on the season.
Valentina Vaulet has a team-high 15 aces on the season.
Maddi Cuchran leads the team with 57 digs.
Jacque Boney has a team-high 11 block assists.
Ranked 10th nationally in team assists.
Ranked 17th nationally in team digs.
Ranked eighth nationally in team kills.
Ranked fifth nationally in team service aces.
Ranked 15th nationally in team total attacks.

Scouting the Opponent – Notre Dame

Currently undefeated (2-0).
Phyona Schrader leads the team in kills with 19, a team high 5 service aces, and leads the team in points with 28.5.
Sydney Palazzolo has a team high 72 total attacks.
Ellie Sandt leads the team in hitting percentage with .750 and has a team high 40 assists.
Hattie Monson has 34 digs and leads the team.
Anna Bjork has a team leading 10 block assists.
Ranked ninth nationally in opponent hitting percentage.
Ranked 17th in blocks per set.

Series History

Mississippi State has only competed against Michigan on one other occasion, last year at Michigan, and it ended in a loss.
The Bulldogs faced Notre Dame twice in South Bend, Indiana, with State winning the last contest in 2022.

Visit www.HailState.com for the latest news and information on volleyball. Fans can also follow the program on social media by searching 'HailStateVB' on X, Facebook and Instagram.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Volleyball Preview: StarkVegas Classic

Players Mentioned

Arianna Beckham

Cayley Hanson

Ceci Harness

Mary Neal

Kailin Newsome

Karli Schmidt

Amina Shackelford

Arissa Smith

Sanaa Williams

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