Mississippi State 2022

[uofastudent]

There is nothing on Mississippi State on any thread other than the SEC thread and I know there's actually a few State fans on here so I'll start this and try to update as much as possible, but this will be the third priority team on my radar so don't expect perfection! Love this team, plus three of my great friends go there. They also have a great chance to be conference champion this year. I had a roster listed here, but they have since updated it so I’ll leave links here now instead:

Roster: hailstate.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster
Schedule: hailstate.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule

This team finished 2nd in the SEC last year and brings back EVERYONE except for Margaret Dean (replaced with Emily Oerther), Callie Minshew (who was beat out by Myrick anyways), Jessica Kemp (great team leader, but less talented than the other middles), Aldin Willis, and Laughlin Murray (the last two played in one set all season). With Kentucky losing Skinner, Stumler, and more, and Florida losing T'ara, Hall, Monserez, and more, I think this team has a great chance to win the conference. They will clearly be led offensively by Gabby Waden, with a nice little 1-2 punch on the outside with the ever-consistent Myrick and the streaky Cromartie. Just as clear defensively, they will be led by Gunter, who you could argue as the most underrated libero in the nation.

I think the biggest question for me is whether they will stay in a 6-2 or go to a 5-1 now with the presence of Emily Oerther. While I believe they will stay in a 6-2 to use McBride, I think not at least trying a 5-1 with Waden playing 6 rotations hitting a D ball in the spring would be leaving a possible best lineup out of consideration. Waden is one of the best offensive players in the country and should be used as much as possible. And even if she cannot hit a D ball and/or play defense will enough to hold up, they could still run a 5-1 and DS her if Oerther does prove herself to be that far ahead of Coulter. Although with McBride and an extra talented middle (whoever of Walk/Robinson/Petties doesn't start), if Waden can't play in right back, I think you would probably go to back to a 6-2.

The next biggest question is who gets the starting jobs in the middle. Personally, I think Rebecca Walk and Deja Robinson should get the nods, but last season started with Petties and Robinson. I think Walk proved herself to be the best middle on the team though, and it seems their social media team agrees (she's been somewhat singled out in three straight Instagram posts now, I don't think that's a coincidence).

Please comment or DM me any corrections! Hail State!

[raian13]

I hope they would be in one of the preseason tournaments in Hawaii and get a little revenge and more recognition.

[G.Dykes]

Thanks for writeup, good stuff.

Interesting how they keep booting out the young setters and seeking very mature setters from the portal. Guess Coach recognizes NOW is the time for a run at the 'ship.

[vbjustice]

Thanks for this thorough report!

[PostPrime]

Well done.

[uofastudent]

Did anyone attend the spring games? I would love some thoughts from people that were there.

[jrobinson1906]

I truly appreciate this! MSU will be fun this year and there will be some competition for starting positions. That leads to fun in the gym.

HAILSTATE

[uofastudent]

Head Assistant Coach and Lead Recruiter Taylor McColskey took a job as Houston’s lead assistant (I’m guessing probably associate head coach). Not sure why he made a move that would been seen by most as a downgrade, but with Darty all but locked up for as long as she wants now, maybe he thinks he can move up there soon to HC.

[uofastudent]

Looking at the highlight video on Instagram, looks like MSST will most likely be staying in a 6-2.

[volleydada4]

Apr 10, 2022 18:23:56 GMT -5 uofastudent said:

Looking at the highlight video on Instagram, looks like MSST will most likely be staying in a 6-2.

Both Right Sides for Mississippi State are weapons that have to be on floor. That plus the addition of former Penn State setter Oerther, the personnel is tailor made for a 6-2.

I don’t think a 5-1 will possibly be in play until 23’ recruit (Setter) Erin Kline arrives on campus. Even then, as a freshman, I wouldn’t be surprised if they used the portal once again to fill that 2nd setter spot. They’ve had a good deal of success with that recently.

[uofastudent]

Apr 10, 2022 21:12:24 GMT -5 volleydada4 said:

Apr 10, 2022 18:23:56 GMT -5 uofastudent said:

Looking at the highlight video on Instagram, looks like MSST will most likely be staying in a 6-2.

Both Right Sides for Mississippi State are weapons that have to be on floor. That plus the addition of former Penn State setter Oerther, the personnel is tailor made for a 6-2.

I don’t think a 5-1 will possibly be in play until 23’ recruit (Setter) Erin Kline arrives on campus. Even then, as a freshman, I wouldn’t be surprised if they used the portal once again to fill that 2nd setter spot. They’ve had a good deal of success with that recently.

Oerther could most definitely run a 5-1 (I’m pretty sure she did a game or two with Penn State when their starter was out). I thought they might attempt a 5-1 with her if Gabby could develop a back row attack, but probably smart to stick with what you know works.

[uofastudent]

Been a long time since I (or anyone frankly) has touched this thread. Let’s catch up! In the mean time, Mississippi State lost both assistant coaches, BUT gave Darty a two year extension! Replacing those assistants are Fritz Rosenberg and Jordan Lay. Rosenberg is a solid coach recruited away from Ball State, who has been a great mid-major program. Lay is the true definition of working your way up. He’s helped turn around programs all the way down to the NAIA and worked himself all the way up to being named Lamar’s head coach a couple of years ago. Always had a knack for recruiting and it looks like he’ll continue that here, as he was named the recruiting coordinator as well.

In other news, the fall schedule has been released! I would have loved to see some tougher teams, but away/neutral games against Notre Dame, Ball State (wonder if Rosenberg set that up), and Michigan should be fun. South Alabama will be good competition as well. I was still hoping for a “big dog” to schedule them but I guess they’ll have to prove themselves some more first. Highlights from conference schedule include having the Florida games AND the Kentucky game at home. Other than that, the SEC scheduling is a little harsh. Only facing the bottom-of-the-barrel teams like Georgia, Auburn, and Alabama once, but having to face Florida, Tennessee (away), Arkansas, and Texas A&M (away) each twice (the last ones being a step below Florida & Kentucky of course, but still a couple steps above the teams I listed earlier). You can find the full schedule here: hailstate.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule

I wish I had film, updates, lineups, or frankly anything from the spring matches but unfortunately I do not, so not much discussion to be had there unless someone else does.

More wins = better facilities (I see you with the new Taraflex flooring). Can only hope ground gets broken for a Gabby Waden statue next😂

[vbjustice]

Thanks for putting this together. My favorite SEC team! Waden and Robinson are a force and major piece to getting the SEC title. They are coming back with big plans in mind I bet.

[hammer]

Jun 7, 2022 10:00:00 GMT -5 vbjustice said:

Thanks for putting this together. My favorite SEC team! Waden and Robinson are a force and major piece to getting the SEC title. They are coming back with big plans in mind I bet.

They are on my radar screen as they were last year. I agree with other posters -- fun team to watch as their offense is dynamic.

[bwf3]

Mar 30, 2022 17:09:51 GMT -5 uofastudent said:

Just as clear defensively, they will be led by Gunter, who you could argue as the most underrated libero in the nation.

Not a great passer or defender. 2.09 grade and a 50.4% GP on 500 passes. Solid bump setter though.