The Mississippi State volleyball team returned from its tournament at Southern Illinois with its first two losses, but the team also learned some important lessons as it nears SEC play.
State’s seven game win streak, which marks the third-longest season-opening and overall win streak for MSU, was snapped Friday night against tournament host Southern Illinois. The Bulldogs lost to the Salukis in straight sets in their first home match of the season. Although no one finished with double-digit kills, senior libero Kayla Woodard did tally 10 digs.
But the Bulldogs did not let this defeat slow them down. Instead, they bounced back quickly to defeat South Florida Saturday morning. After winning the first set, the Bulldogs dropped the next two, but fought back and won the last two sets to finish the five set thriller. Head coach Jenny Hazelwood said she was proud of the team effort the girls showed throughout the long match.
“It was a good win against a good South Florida team and shows again what we’re capable of,” Hazelwood said. “We started taking care of the little things again, and I think it might have frustrated South Florida as the match went on. Our players did a good job of not getting down when things weren’t going our way early.”
Junior Caitlin Rance, who was placed on the All-Tournament Team, registered her fourth double-double of the season totaling 14 kills and 11 digs. Senior Ashley Newsome and freshman Danni McCree both added 10 kills for the Bulldogs. Freshman setter Paris Perret continued her solid play as she racked up 39 assists throughout the match. Rance noted a lack of chemistry in the first match, but said the girls regained it for their next opponent.
“We didn’t really play as a team; no one really had a great game,” Rance said. “We usually have really good chemistry on the court, but we didn’t play as a team like we usually do. But Saturday morning we played awesome, fought back, and won.”
In its final match of the tournament, State lost to Southeast Missouri in three sets. Hazelwood said fatigue played a factor in the match.
“They were tired and ready to get home, and they weren’t as focused as they should’ve been,” Hazelwood said. “It’s another lesson that we’re going to have to learn that our schedule doesn’t get any easier from here on out, so they have got to come ready to play every match no matter who their opponent is.”
McCree, who is replacing injured captain Faith Steinwedell, finished with 23 kills on the weekend. Rance said McCree’s play really energized the team.
“She did awesome,” Rance said. “She really did a good job of hitting her spots when she was hitting and really bringing energy to the court when she was on it.”
Hazelwood said Rance’s consistent play along with McCree’s fearlessness and offensive aggressiveness was good to see over the weekend.
“Rance had another great, steady weekend,” Hazelwood said. “I think we can expect that from her throughout the season. A nice surprise was freshman Danni McCree. She really stepped up and played in every match and did some nice things. At times she was one of the players we were trying to find on the court to get her the ball.”
The Bulldogs take on Southern Miss on Wednesday in their final non-conference match before traveling to Oxford on Sunday. The 1 p.m. match against Ole Miss will be televised regionally by Cox Sports TV. Hazelwood said she is expecting the girls to play their best against Southern Miss in preparation for The Rebels of Mississippi.
“It’s the perfect match for us to have to go in and play and make the corrections that we need to so that we don’t make those same mistakes against Ole Miss,” said Hazelwood. “In that match I’m looking for these girls to play to our potential in every set that we play.”