Volleyball Preview: Mississippi State

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 24th-ranked Tennessee volleyball team heads to the Magnolia State for a two-match series against Mississippi State Saturday and Sunday at the Newell-Grissom Building.

First serve for both matches is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.

BROADCAST INFO
Both matches are available for streaming on SEC Network+ or through the WatchESPN app. Live stats will be provided by MSU and a link can be found by visiting the volleyball schedule page on UTsports.com.

LAST TIME OUT
Tennessee opened its three-match stretch against the Mississippi schools on Sunday as it defeated Ole Miss at home in three sets. UT hit .400 against the Rebels – the first time hitting .400 or better since Nov. 10, 2019.

TOP DOG
Under Eve Rackham Watt, the Lady Vols are 6-0 against Mississippi State with the Big Orange sweeping four of the last five meetings.

RECORD-SETTING PACE
Senior Ava Bell is on a record-setting pace this season as she currently holds a .462 hitting percentage. The Tennessee school-record for hitting percentage in a season is .416 set by Lady Vol great Beverly Robinson in 1983.

Bell already holds the single-season school-record for hitting percentage during the rally-scoring era (2001-present) - a record she set in 2019 with a hit percentage of .415.

WELCOME TO BLOCKSVILLE
With Danielle Mahaffey and Bell patrolling the middle of the net for UT, Tennessee has become one of the nation's top blocking teams this season. The Lady Vols average 2.85 blocks per set which leads the SEC and ranks fourth in the nation.

Individually, Mahaffey sits second in the league with a 1.38 blocks per set average. Bell is averaging 1.06 blocks per set.

SPREADING THE WEALTH
With Tennessee's attacking options on the outside and in the middle, setter Natalie Hayward has a lot of options available to her while running UT's offense. Hayward is averaging 10.79 assists per set this season – the mark ranks fourth in the SEC and 21st nationally.

RACKIN' UP WINS
Rackham Watt enters the weekend with a career record of 70-33 (46-23 SEC) and a .680 winning percentage. Her win percentage ranks second all-time in program history.

Among current SEC head coaches, Rackham Watt ranks third in career win percentage.

Mary Wise (Florida) - .842
Craig Skinner (Kentucky) - .752
Eve Rackham Watt (Tennessee) - .680

SCOUTING MISSISSIPPI STATE

2021 Record: 20-5 (11-2 SEC)

Series Record: Tennessee leads, 51-12

Last Meeting: March 6, 2021 – A three-set win for the Lady Vols.

Key Player/Stat: Mississippi State is a different breed than in seasons past as it sits second in the conference with a 20-5 overall record and an 11-2 mark in league play. The Bulldogs have won eight consecutive matches entering the weekend and boast a five-set win over Florida.

Gabby Waden and Lauren Myrick average 3.41 and 3.10 kills per set this season, respectively, while Shania Cromartie comes in with 2.66 kills per set. Gabby Coulter and Margaret Dean share setter responsibilities and average 5.51 and 5.37 assists per set on the year.

UP NEXT
Tennessee closes out its regular season home schedule Nov. 18 and 19 as it plays host to Alabama. It will be a busy weekend as the program welcomes home its LVFLs for alumni night on Nov. 18 before saying goodbye for now to its senior class on Nov. 19 on senior night.