Mississippi State volleyball opens SEC play with five-set win over LSU

Mississippi State opened Southeastern Conference play with a 3-2 victory over LSU in Starkville, remaining undefeated at home.

The Bulldogs took the first two sets, winning 25-21 after opening with a 9-0 run and then taking the second set 25-20. LSU won the next two sets, but Mississippi State secured the match with a 15-5 victory in the fifth.

“What a total team win with all-out effort, some guts, and a whole lot of heart and hustle. I am so proud of my team for fighting that out in five,” coach Julie Darty Dennis said.

Lindsey Mangelson led the Bulldogs with 23 kills on a team-high 62 attacks. Paloma Routaboul added a career-high 13 kills, while Gha'Naye Whitfield-Moss had a season-high 12 kills while hitting .750. Bernadita Aguilar had 11 kills, and Noella Obi finished with 10.

Mississippi State had three double-doubles: Mangelson finished with 23 kills and 14 digs, Aguilar recorded 11 kills and 10 digs, and Adriana Jeanpierre had 12 assists and 10 digs for her first double-double. Cayley Hanson totaled 34 assists and tied her season high with three service aces, while Erin Kline had 11 assists in her season debut. McKenna Yates led the team with 20 digs.

The Bulldogs next play at Texas on Friday, with first serve scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The match will be available on SECN+.

Source: Mississippi State Athletics.