The Mississippi State University volleyball team is looking for its first couple of conference wins this weekend as it hosts South Carolina and Arkansas. But this weekend’s homecoming matches will be played at Humphrey Coliseum instead of the usual venue of the Newell Grissom Building.
Head coach Jenny Hazelwood said having a strong fan base is imperative more than ever this weekend.
“If we can get as many MSU fans at Humphrey Coliseum as possible, it adds to that big home-court advantage,” Hazelwood said. “These girls work hard day-in and day-out, and it means a lot to have people come out and support what they do because a large crowd has a large impact on a game.”
Other exciting events will take place during the volleyball games. This year’s Homecoming court will be introduced at tonight’s game against South Carolina, featuring Mr. and Miss MSU as guest coaches.
Sunday’s game at 1:30 p.m. against SEC West foe Arkansas is the “Dig Pink” game for Breast Cancer Awareness month, and 250 pink “Hail State” sunglasses will be given away.
The Bulldogs have been practicing at the Hump all week, and Hazelwood said this is vital going into this weekend’s matches.
“It’s a lot different when you get into an open arena, so it’s important for us to be able to practice in the facility and have an edge going into this weekend,” she said.
Hazelwood and the players said they are excited about playing at the arena, because in the past they have been victorious there. In October of 2011, the Bulldogs defeated then No. 25 Kentucky for their first win against a ranked opponent. The match drew an MSU and state collegiate attendance record 4, 525 fans to Humphrey Coliseum.
Sophomore Alex Scott, who was recently moved from defensive specialist to the libero position, said she believes the team can carry the momentum from last year’s victory over Kentucky into this weekend’s matches.
“I think it’s all about a confident mindset with each of us because we are starting to unify as a team and put things together,” Scottsaid. “Since we did something great in this arena last year, it’s going to motivate us to do it again because we don’t want to be the team that didn’t get it done.”
Senior outside hitter and co-captain Chanelle Baker said not only was home-court advantage important but also the main focuses in practices are the scouting reports and being prepared for South Carolina tonight.
“Right now we are looking at what we’re going to see against South Carolina and what they like to do, because knowing the other team’s tendencies will really help us.” Baker said.
Hazelwood said there is no doubt the effort and intensity is there from the girls, but the girls have to trust themselves more in order to be able to play at a higher level.
“We (the coaches) want them to understand that they are too hard on themselves and they have to relax, because the more tense you are the more you will struggle,” Hazelwood said. “They have to learn what works for them and find ways not be frustrated mentally.”
Besides trust and frustration, Hazelwood also said youth and most importantly passing has been the team’s biggest issue. She said although last week’s match against Missouri was close throughout, the team’s struggle to make good passes was the determining factor.
In addition to its struggles, the team also has to finish the season without co-captain and starting junior setter Paris Perret, who recently left the team for personal reasons.
Baker said initially the team’s performance struggled, but the girls are slowly bouncing back.
“Although our play has improved, it’s still not where it needs to be because we have to win games,” Baker said. “Hopefully practices this week will help us get our first SEC win.”