The Mississippi State volleyball team bounced back from a four game losing streak and defeated Alabama to begin the Homecoming celebrations Wednesday night. After a close first set win at 25-23, the Bulldogs dropped the second set 23-25, but the team came back strong winning the next two sets 25-18, 27-25.
Before its four game losing streak, the team knocked off Georgia in an exciting five set match. Senior Ashley Newsome led the way with a career best 26 kills while adding seven blocks. Newsome currently ranks second in the SEC in blocks. Since then, State has dropped matches against South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky. The win Wednesday was a good momentum booster for the Bulldogs.
In the fourth game of the match, the team started off strong with two straight blocks and a kill by junior middle Hannah Wilkinson. But after gaining a 13-11 lead, the Bulldogs lost the next nine points and trailed 20-13. However, this did not crush the spirits of the girls as they came back and finished the game with three straight kills. Coach Jenny Hazelwood was proud of her team’s effort in the final game.
“We were down quite a bit, and I really liked the fight and the refuse to lose that I saw in our players,” Hazelwood said. “We’ve had great practices this week, and it was time to put it all together; I think we definitely are starting to get back on track.”
Junior Caitlin Rance, the team leader in kills, paced State with 17 kills. She also added 12 kills for her seventh double-double of the season. Freshman setter Paris Perret completed her fifth double-double of the season with 43 assists and 15 digs.
Senior libero Kayla Woodard, who is currently third in the SEC in digs, said that the girls were trying to turn things around and finish the first half of SEC play strongly. She made a point that it was the girls’ mindset that inspired their comeback in the last game.
“We were just really determined, and we knew that it was us making the mistakes,” Woodard said. “We were really determined and had our minds focused and were ready to come back; we were determined not to lose that game.”
State finished the first half of SEC play with a 3-7 record, but the girls played every team close and are looking to improve on this record the next time through the SEC. Florida, ranked first in the NCAA, and LSU are currently leading the SEC, but there are several teams looking to move up in the standings. Hazelwood knows that her team can compete with any of the teams in the SEC.
“Every match we’ve played, we’ve been right there, and there have not been any matches where we weren’t close,” Hazelwood said. “I know the team has the potential to play with anybody, but we just have to find that consistency and find a way to perform on a regular basis.”
The team has made some changes on the court after its recent losing streak. Sophomore Hillary Parker has stepped up at the left back position bringing her vocal, steady play to the court. Also, sophomore Mandy Mellencamp’s move to right side has opened up the middle where Wilkinson has been able to assist Newsome in controlling the game. This gives the team four front row players who are at least 6 feet tall. This accounts for the high number of blocks the team accumulates every match.
Another key for the Bulldogs has been the play of junior Kellye Jordan. With each match, Jordan has continued to become more confident and put up solid numbers for State. In the match against Tennessee, Jordan led the team with nine kills and was tied for the team lead in digs with 10. Jordan’s hard work has been paying off in recent matches, and she will continue to be a key player on the team.
“Serving wise, I’ve been trying to get more consistent for my teammates and also with my digs; I’ve done that in the past few games, and I need to continue that,” Jordan said. “Everybody’s been helping me with my role on the team.”
The Bulldogs begin the second round of SEC play with a bang against the Ole Miss “Black Bear” Rebels tonight at 7 at the Newell-Grissom Building. The Bulldogs fell to the SEC West-leading Rebels 1-3 in the previous match, but the girls are ready for another chance. Hazelwood said there could not be a more important match at a better time this year.
“It’s Homecoming weekend, so we need this place packed; the crowd chanting puts pressure on the other team, and that’s a home-court advantage,” Hazelwood said. “Ole Miss is really good and having an outstanding year, and we could really pull out a huge victory if we have good support and the team continues to do what they’re doing.”