Myrick's record day lifts MS State to sweep of Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Mississippi State volleyball team swept Alabama [25-20, 25-22, 25-17] for the second time this season to open up its road trip on Friday night at Foster Auditorium.
"I am so proud of our team for showing so much fight and determination in our win tonight," head coach Julie Darty Dennis said. "I felt like everyone was dialed in and committed to finding a way to win. Everyone was ready to play hard, and we focused on first contact, and that really helped us find a way to beat a tough and well-prepared Alabama team."
Libero Lauren Myrick captured a milestone moment in the first set against Alabama. The Louisville, Kentucky, native earned her 1000th career dig in the first play of the match. Myrick went on to total a team-leading 15 digs and a season-high four aces while adding six assists.
"I can't say enough about Lauren," Dennis said. "She's such a hard worker, great teammate and a fun player to be around every day and coach. I am so proud of her for hitting this milestone. She has switched over to the libero position with grace and ease and continues to impress me each and every day."
Sophie Agee led the Maroon and White for the third consecutive match with 16 kills and added five digs and two blocks. Karli Schmidt was impactful on the front line with 11 kills on a .500 hitting mark and one block.
Amina Shackelford registered eight kills, a season-best seven digs and a block, whereas Rebecca Walk followed behind with seven kills. Caylee Sharkey issued three kills and two digs of her own.
State's setters Erin Kline and Emily Oerther distributed a combined 36 assists. Individually, Oerther led the team with 25 assists, while Kline collected 11 assists and an ace.
Middle blocker Sanaa Williams led the Bulldogs on the blocking front with six blocks on the night.
As a team, Mississippi State compiled 47 kills on a .282 hitting percentage while holding Alabama to only 29 kills on a .122 clip.
The Bulldogs head to Athens, Georgia, to take on Georgia for the second time this season. First serve is slated for 1 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 29 on SEC Network+.