BRYAN COLLEGE STATION, Texas. – The Texas A&M volleyball team dropped a hard-fought 3-1 decision to Mississippi State (27-29, 30-28, 25-18, 25-23) at Reed Arena on Saturday. The Aggies fell to 10-8 overall and 2-5 against the Southeastern Conference, while the Bulldogs improved to 11-5 and 4-2.
Aggie graduate transfer Caroline Meuth led all players with 19 kills, with Logan Lednicky paced the Maroon & White with three blocks to go along with her 18 kills. Senior setter Elena Karakasi recorded her sixth double-double of the year, registering 51 assists and 17 digs.
The Aggies jumped out to a 3-0 run in set one, including an early ace from freshman libero Ava Underwood. Mississippi State found a rhythm of its own with a 9-3 run, tying the set at 21-21. The Bulldogs were able to take a 27-26 lead, but a service error from Mississippi State, followed by an Aggie ace from Meuth put A&M on top, 27-26. Freshman Lednicky slammed down a kill to secure the first set victory, 28-26.
The Bulldogs opened the second with 4-1 run, however an error, paired with kills from Meuth and Lednicky knotted the set at four all. Mississippi State found momentum with yet another 4-0 run, but the Maroon & White fought their way back and stayed within striking distance. A career-high, fifth kill from freshman Lexi Guinn paired with a Bulldog error tied the set again at 18-18. The two squads battled to a 24-24 tie late in the frame and A&M faced five set points but ultimately fell, 30-28.
Mississippi State jumped out early in the third set to an 18-13 advantage. Despite a hard fight from A&M, the Bulldogs continued their push and closed out the set, 25-18.
A quick Bulldog start in the fourth frame was instantly responded to by the Aggies with a three-point run by the Aggies, tying the set at 4-4. Back-and-forth play ensued as both teams forced nine ties until a Lednicky kill gave A&M a 19-18 lead. However, Mississippi State responded with a 7-4 run that ended the set and the match, 25-23.
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