Preview: Blue Raider Bash

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Mississippi State volleyball team will compete in its first away matches of the season at the Blue Raider Bash in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this weekend.

State will take on UT Martin on Friday, MTSU on Saturday and Marist on Sunday. Saturday evening's match against MTSU will be available to stream on ESPN+.

Gameday Information
Friday, September 5 (1:30 p.m.) vs UT Martin
Live Stats: https://hailst.at/3HVn9To
Saturday, September 6 (5 p.m.) at MTSU
Live Video: https://hailst.at/45N4hPw
Live Stats: https://hailst.at/4gcP4uG
Sunday, September 7 (11 a.m.) vs Marist
Live Stats: https://hailst.at/481EJzz

The First Serve

Cayley Hanson earned the honor of SEC Setter of the Week for the week of Sept. 1. Hanson tallied 109 assists, 26 attacks, and 13.5 points in all nine sets played this weekend.
Lindsey Mangelson claimed the title of SEC Freshman of the Week for the week of Sept. 1. Mangelson picked up 72 attacks, 40 kills, and 47.5 points on the weekend.
The Bulldogs swept the Maroon & White tournament this weekend, without giving up a single set to an opponent.
McKenna Yates officially surpassed 300 career digs last weekend, making her new total 334.
Head Coach Julie Darty Dennis is two wins away from 150 career wins.
State leads the nation in hitting percentage ahead of this weekend, totaling 0.404.

Scouting the opponent: UT Martin

UT Martin opened the season 0-2, dropping matches against Seton Hall and Belmont.
Kylie Surrat leads the team in 20 kills, followed closely by Kayla Bryant at 19. The team has 64 kills total over two matches this season.
The team has a .290 hitting percentage for the season so far.
Abby Freund leads the squad in digs with 19 over two matches, with the team totaling 88 this season.
Surratt and Bryant were tabbed as OVC Standouts for the 2025 season.

Scouting the opponent: MTSU

MTSU opened the season 2-1, winning over Purdue Fort Wayne and Evansville, and dropping in straight sets against Butler.
MTSU totals 136 kills over three matches this season, led by Payton Deidesheimer at 33.
The team has a .149 hitting percentage, with Logan Carr having the highest percentage at .414.
The team totals 182 digs over three matches, led by Caroline Macander at 46.
Macander has racked up 99 assists so far this season to lead the squad.

Scouting the Opponent: Marist

Marist opened the season 0-3 against Liberty, Rutgers and Buffalo at the Buffalo Invite last weekend.
Sara Dasic leads the squad with 14 kills, with the team totaling 112.
Caelyn Dumas leads the team with 39 assists over three matches.
Mallory Reck leads the team with 11 digs over the three opening matches, with the team totaling 102.

Series History:

State leads the series against UT Martin at 8-2, with the last matchup being a 3-0 victory in 2016.
State leads the series against MTSU at 3-1, with the last matchup being a 1-3 loss in 2003.
This weekend marks the first matchup between Mississippi State and Marist.

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.

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Players Mentioned

Cayley Hanson

Lindsey Mangelson

McKenna Yates

Mississippi State University Athletics