Mississippi State volleyball (4-9, 0-2 SEC) began SEC play Friday as Auburn (9-4, 1-1 SEC) spoiled the conference debut of head coach Jenny Hazelwood.
In a hard-hitting game where the Tigers led in three major categories (44-25 in kills, 69-44 in digs and 56-33 in total points), the game was closer than the score indicated despite a straight-sets loss for the Bulldogs.
With five lead changes and eight tied scores in the first set, the Tigers were able to pull out a narrow 25-21 win and a 1-0 lead.
The second set witnessed six lead changes and another eight tied scores as the Tigers took another set, leaving the Bulldogs down two players after a collision between junior middle blocker Ashley Newsome and freshman setter Hillary Parker.
The two collided as Newsome dropped back and Parker stepped up, went low and took Newsome’s legs out from under her, resulting in both players falling to the hardwood court.
Newsome was later diagnosed with a hip pointer and could barely walk on Saturday, assistant coach Brandon Higa said. Parker was treated for back pain as sophomore outside hitter Caitlin Rance substituted for her. Parker and Newsome remained out for the rest of the game.
“It looked like full-tackle football, but they’re not wearing full pads,” Hazelwood said. “The team was a little rattled, but they were still able to come out and compete.”
Freshman middle blocker Dravon Rangel substituted for Newsome – a player who is becoming accustomed to the speed of the game, Hazelwood said.
The Tigers took the opportunity at hand and finished strong in the third set, 25-15, capping off a straight-sets win against the Bulldogs.
Despite the loss of Newsome and Parker, both considered to be team leaders, Rangel was able to provide some support up front with a blocked shot.
“It was a tough situation to be called into but Dravon had two good series,” Higa said.
Sophomore outside hitter Faith Steinwedell said Rangel is beginning to realize her potential as an athlete.
Auburn junior defensive specialist Liz Crouch was credited with 31 digs in the match – the most by an SEC player at this point in the season.
MSU hosted Georgia (9-3, 1-1 SEC) on Sunday as UGA was able to overcome a 0-1 deficit to win 3-1, ending a season-long six-match home stretch at Newell-Grissom.
The most impressive aspect of the match was that two days after sustaining a hip pointer and hardly being able to walk Saturday, Newsome made the start, playing the entire four-set match and tying her career high in kills with 19. Newsome set her career-high mark a week prior against Northwestern State in a straight-sets win.
Newsome’s willpower to play through hip pain is a testament to her role as a leader amongst MSU players.
“On a weekly basis, she’s gotten better and better no matter who the opponent is,” Higa said. “She clearly wasn’t herself, but she found the strength and will to play through.”
Hazelwood said the team is continuing to work on consistency with a young roster, which has proved to start matches strong but has been unable to maintain throughout.
Parker also returned against UGA, helping set up, not only Newsome, but senior outside hitter Ioana Demian (9 kills), sophomore outside hitter Kellye Jordan (9 kills) and Rance (8 kills).
Steinwedell saw time along the back of the court in her second start of the season, setting a career high in digs with 16. Demian also played along the back row, finishing with 11 digs.
Georgia put on an offensive show as the team finished with four players in double-digit kills, with 62 total.
UGA junior middle blocker Valentina Gonzalez tallied 18 kills. The Monterray, Mexico, native finished with an impressive .630 hitting clip.
MSU plays the fifth-ranked Florida Gators in Gainesville, Fla. Friday (6 p.m.) and South Carolina in Columbia Sunday (2 p.m.).