STARKVILLE, Miss. — The University of Georgia volleyball team clinched its first Southeastern Conference (SEC) victory of the season on Friday, overpowering Mississippi State in a straight-set win (25-23, 25-20, 25-16). Full Box Scores
SEC Volleyball Season Update
The win on Friday evening elevates Georgia’s season record to 10-6 and 1-3 in conference play. The Bulldogs are set to return to Stegeman Coliseum for competition on Sunday, Oct. 15, hosting LSU.
The team had been competing at Ramsey Student Center due to ongoing renovations at Stegeman Coliseum. – Read more: Kansas State Women’s Volleyball Stuns No. 18 Baylor in Historic Upset
Player Highlights
Sophie Fischer, a senior, led the charge with a remarkable 16 kills in just three sets, boasting a hitting percentage of .448. Kacie Evans followed suit with a double-digit kill performance, recording 12 kills.
Freshman Ceci Gooch also made her presence felt, contributing eight kills with a hitting percentage of .500.
On the defensive end, Fischer registered six blocks, while Gooch and Estelle Haugen contributed three blocks each. Libero Mallory Downing recorded 10 digs, and Haugen added nine.
Game Dynamics
Mississippi State initially took a 7-2 lead in the opening set but couldn’t sustain the momentum. Georgia clawed back, eventually tying the set at 20. A series of decisive plays, including kills from Fischer and Evans, helped Georgia secure the first set 25-23.
In the second set, a strong serving run by Bailey Cox, including a pair of aces, gave Georgia a 7-0 lead. Despite a brief rally by Mississippi State, Georgia maintained control, closing the set at 25-20.
The third set saw Georgia take an early 3-0 lead. A subsequent 8-1 run, featuring four kills from Fischer and three from Evans, put the game out of reach for Mississippi State. Georgia closed the set and the match with a 5-1 run, winning 25-16.
What’s Next
Georgia will conclude its road swing on Wednesday, Oct. 11, facing the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia, South Carolina. The match, scheduled for 6 p.m., will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
