STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Auburn volleyball team came up short against Mississippi State Friday evening, falling in four sets (25-19, 22-25, 15-25, 16-25) in the Newell-Grissom Building.
The loss moved the Tigers to 6-13 overall and 0-8 in Southeastern Conference play.
Sophomore Tatum Shipes led the way for the Tigers, totaling nine kills for the squad. Freshman Lily Thomason added eight kills, while junior Chesney McClellan rounded out the offensive attack with seven. Setter Morgan Kull closed the night with 28 assists.
Auburn's blockers turn in a solid performance with six total blocks. McClellan and Shipes led the way with two each.
The Tigers' backrow was led by sophomore libero Bella Rosenthall, notching 18 digs. Shipes chipped in 10 digs, while sophomore Katie Persons added a career-high 10.
Mississippi State (12-9, 1-8) was led by Gabby Waden with 15 kills. Callie Minshew closed the game with 11. Setter Alleah Stamatis recorded 46 assists. Libero Kanani Price paced the Bulldogs with 21 digs.
Auburn wraps up its road swing on Sunday at Arkansas. First serve on the SEC Network + is slated for 1 p.m. CT.
SET ONE
It was a back-and-forth set in the early going as kills from Thomason and Shipes pushed Auburn ahead 9-8. The Bulldogs kept it close with a 4-0 run to pull ahead, 15-14, but the Tigers stormed back with kills from Shaina White and McClellan and a Bulldog attack error to jump back in front 17-15. Auburn used a late 4-0 run, punctuated by a Shipes ace, to pull away 22-17. Mississippi State attempted to rally back, but the Tiger defense held strong with a 25-19 victory.
SET TWO
Auburn took an early lead with help of a 5-1 run and continued to pace the set, but the Bulldogs stayed within striking distance and used a 4-0 run to take a 20-19 lead and force an Tiger timeout. The Tigers fought off two set points with a Shea McNamara kill and an ace from Kull, but Mississippi State held on for a 25-22 victory.
SET THREE
Mississippi State took advantage early momentum to start the third set, jumping out to a 14-7 lead. Auburn cut the lead to 19-12 with a McClellan kill and Bulldog error, but Mississippi State closed out the set with a 25-15 win.
SET FOUR
The Bulldogs again jumped out to an early start, but four straight Tiger kills put Auburn out in front, 7-6. Mississippi State regrouped with a 4-0 run, forcing an Auburn timeout. Auburn chipped away at the lead, coming within three, 15-12, but Mississippi State used a late 5-1 run to secure a 25-16 win.