The Mississippi State volleyball Bulldogs won their third straight conference match Sunday against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
MSU beat the Tide 3-1, snapping a 14-match losing streak against Alabama.
Prior to the match, MSU hadn’t beaten Alabama since 1998, when the Bulldogs won a 3-2 decision in Tuscaloosa.
“A win over Alabama doesn’t quite feel better than an Ole Miss win,” head coach Tina Seals said, “but it feels just about the same. Last year we lost it in five games, plus we lost 3-0 in their place this year. It’s just a milestone to keep our composure and being able to pull the win out.”
Four MSU players shined offensively in Saturday’s contest, posting double-digit kill marks.
Freshman standout Martina Gregusova led the Dawgs (14-8, 5-7) in kills with 18 and also finished with 16 digs, earning her third double-double performance on the year.
Junior setter Eva Kriegel notched her third triple-double of the season in the contest, pitching in with 10 kills, 10 digs and 44 assists.
Junior libero Megan Lukasek led the Bulldogs with 22 digs.
Mississippi State dominated the Crimson Tide (13-8, 8-4) in games one and two, defeating them by scores of 30-15 and 30-28.
UA never tied or led MSU in game one and never took the lead in game two.
Alabama fought back after intermission, however, and stole the third game from the Bulldogs 31-29.
MSU bounced back and edged Alabama in game four 30-28 to win the match and serve up Bama’s second straight SEC loss.
The win gives MSU its third straight SEC win, a feat done for the first time in school history last year.
“This was definitely a big step for our program,” Seals said. “Alabama beat a lot of top-notch teams when they won six in a row, and they’re also a top-notch team. Our team is beginning to play together, and the chemistry is really good out on the court, as well as on the bench. It takes a whole team effort. It meant a lot to see our composure. We beat a really good team today.”
MSU continues its conference schedule next weekend on the road.
The Lady Dawgs will volley against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers Friday and will thentake on the Kentucky Wildcats Sunday.
MSU has never won three straight SEC road games.