Oct. 15, 2011

TENNESSEE (15-3, 8-1) vs. MSU (10-8, 5-4)

October 16, 2011 | 1:30 p.m. CT

Newell-Grissom Building | Starkville, Miss.

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THE MISSISSIPPI STATE MATCH

Coming off a tough five-set loss on the road to No. 25 Kentucky, the No. 18 Lady Vols will look to get back to their winning ways on Sunday afternoon against Mississippi State.
The loss at Kentucky snapped UT's 11-match win streak and gave the Lady Vols their first conference loss on the season. Tennessee's 8-0 start in the SEC tied for the best conference start in school history.

Tennessee has been a matchup nightmare for Mississippi State under head coach Rob Patrick. Patrick is 21-1 against the Bulldogs, including winning the last six meetings.
Sunday's showdown against MSU is the second of four consecutive matches on the road, as Tennessee will travel to Auburn and Georgia next week.

Looking to Rebound

Tennessee has won at least 15 SEC matches each of the last three seasons leading up to 2011, finishing with 15 in 2008 and 2010 and 16 in 2009. Rob Patrick is 163-98 in his career in the SEC. In 12 of his 14 seasons, he led the Lady Vols to a .500 or better record against the conference. In 2004, Tennessee roared through the conference with a 15-1 record, tying for first in the SEC and winning the SEC Tournament a week later.
By defeating LSU on Sept. 30 and Florida on Sept. 25, it is the first time in school history that Tennessee has beaten both the Gators and Tigers on the road in the same season.
Following her two outstanding performances against Alabama and Ole Miss, UT outside hitter Kelsey Robinson was named was the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I National and Southeastern Conference Player of the Week. She is just the fourth Lady Vol to earn the national accolade. .

Game Notes