For a Mississippi State volleyball team in a 1-7 conference quagmire, this weekend’s visits to Arkansas and LSU will be on rocky, but conquerable, roads. MSU head coach Brenda Bowlin knows that Friday’s challenge in Fayetteville will be the toughest stop.
“Arkansas (15-5, 6-2 SEC) is always very big on the block,” Bowlin said. They have a 6’5″ middle (blocker) in Sara Kincaid, and they go 6’2″ and 6’1″ across the net.”
Add to this size an energized, insult-shouting crowd, and further complications develop.
“Friday night will be crowded,” Bowlin said. “The Razorbacks do a nice job with the pep band and have a lot of marketing promotions for their rowdy crowds.”
“Their fans give us a good time,” said junior Hilary Chambers. “It’s usually challenging. I kind of enjoy it because it gets me into that competitive environment.”
“Arkansas is not the most fun place to play because of the fans, but I think it will give us some fuel to want to beat them even more,” junior Jennifer Rousey said.
“(Tuesday) was an individual position day; we worked on offense and defense and we concentrated on making sure we feel confident about hitting around the block,” added Bowlin.
Lone Bulldog senior Misty Hubenthal will use strategy in leading the MSU attack.
“A big key will be making sure that I am making smart shots,” Hubenthal said. “I am obviously not going to be able to swing through a 6’5″ girl standing in front of me. Whether I cut the ball or tip it over the blocker, I need to keep the ball in the court because we’ll need every ball.”
“We’ve never beaten either of these teams since I’ve been here,” added the win-hungry Hubenthal. “We’ve come very close a couple of times.”
“Serving tough and staying in the match (mentally) will be keys,” Bowlin said. “Things will happen when you limit mistakes and don’t give the ball away. Making smart shots, not giving free points and us taking care of the ball will all help.”
The Dawgs will have their best chance for a weekend win against the somewhat inconsistent Bayou Bengals.
“LSU has been in some really interesting matches. They took a game off Florida, then they went five with Georgia and then they were beaten by Alabama in three,” commented Bowlin.
“Finishing is something we are going focus on this week in practice,” Bowlin said Tuesday. “Whether it is finishing a point, finishing a rally, finishing a game, finishing the match.”
“Right now we have to make the most out of practice,” Chambers said. “We have to treat every situation like it’s a game situation. If Coach Blackwell is imitating one of their stronger hitters, we’ve got to mentally visualize that that is their big gun.”
“It’s kind of frustrating when you’re right there and you can’t finish, and when you know that you should beat these teams and you don’t,” Hubenthal said. “We’re not going in there thinking we are going to lose. We’re down a little bit, but we just have to push through. When were ‘on,’ I feel like we can beat anyone.