STARKVILLE — More than two months ago, the Mississippi State volleyball program earned a straight-sets victory in Oxford that stood as the highlight of the season.
MSU closed its 2015 season Friday with a victory that was even sweeter.
Alex Warren had a career-high 25 kills, while Shelby Anderton had a season-high 46 assists to lead MSU to a 3-1 victory against Ole Miss at the Newell-Grissom Building. Set scores were 25-21, 25-18, 20-25, 25-23.
The win enabled MSU (17-15, 6-12 Southeastern Conference) to sweep Ole Miss (22-11, 8-10) for the program’s first winning season since 2006.
“That was an unbelievable match by our girls,” MSU first-year coach David McFatrich said. “I honestly could not be more proud of how they played today and how they’ve ended this season. I’m especially happy for our seniors, who go out on such a high note. They were crucial in building this foundation this season. Where we go from here is thanks to their hard work and dedication.”
McFatrich finished his first season in Starkville with the same record he had in his first year at Central Arkansas. It marks the best season by a head coach in their first year at MSU. McFatrich is the only coach in Bulldog volleyball history to record a winning season in his first year.
Emily Howard tied a season high with five blocks to help MSU earn its first back-to-back victories against Ole Miss since 2009. It is also MSU’s third-straight SEC triumph, the first time the Bulldogs have done so since 2007. The team’s 17 wins and 10 home victories match totals from the 2006 season.
Warren had at least 20 kills for the second time in three matches, and for the fourth time this season. Her 25 kills surpasses her previous career high of 23 set at Alabama on Sept. 23. The senior tallied at least four kills in each set and finished with 10 in the fourth frame, the second time this season she had acquired double-digit kills in a set.
Payton Harris led all players with 15 digs, bringing her career total to 1,169. She will be 13 short of ninth place on the MSU career digs list when her junior season kicks off next fall.
“I’m very proud of this entire group for their heart and soul throughout the entire season,” McFatrich said. “There were rough patches along the way, but they stayed strong and stayed together through it all, ending this year on the best possible note.”
“Now it’s time to get prepared for next year. There’s a lot of work to be done between now and next fall but we cannot wait to get year going.”
Senior Nakeyta Clair had 15 kills to lead Ole Miss. Lexi Thompson added 13 kills and 11 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Junior Aubrey Edie had 43 assists. Freshman Alexis Lee had seven kills and four digs.
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