For the second time in three weeks the Mississippi State volleyball team will play SEC matches against Tennessee and South Carolina. This time, however, the Lady Dawgs will be defending their home court and looking to improve on their 9-7 record.
The team went 1-1 on the road against these two squads, beating South Carolina in straight sets while falling to Tennessee by the same score.
“We need to come out more focused against Tennessee,” said head coach Tina Seals. “We played them on Sunday after upsetting South Carolina on Friday, and I don’t think we came out as focused as we should have been. And in our league there are no easy teams, so any time we lose our focus, it will automatically be a loss.”
No. 18 Tennessee will enter weekend play with only one loss on the season. Despite a valiant effort from the Lady Dawgs, Tennessee used their size in the middle with 6-foot-3 Michelle Piantadosi and 6-foot-1 Kristen Andre to dominate the net and the match.
Beating the Volunteers on any court would be a difficult proposition, but junior Jamie Hester said the game against Tennessee is exciting because it’s a chance for redemption.
“We’re definitely ready (for Tennessee),” Hester said. “We’re going to be at home and it will be a good chance to show what we’re made of. We want to play hard and win every game.”
Senior libero Ashley Sledge is also ready for the Volunteers, but fears a possible letdown against South Carolina, who will be looking to avenge their earlier loss. The Gamecocks are 8-5 for the season, but an uncharacteristic 1-3 in SEC play.
“It’s always a thought in the back of our mind,” Sledge said. “We just have to go into the match with confidence, knowing that we already beat them 3-0, and not let them come to our house and even the series.”
The action starts 7 p.m. tonight at Newell-Grissom.