We just finished up a 7-game mid-season stretch where we needed to go 5-2 to be in the running for the first NCAA bid in school history.
They went 7-0.
On top of it all, defending national champion Kentucky dropped a match to South Carolina (a team better than their record), so the Volleydawgs sit just a game back of the SEC Championship with five matches to go. (UK did beat State in regular season, but ties aren't broken). Here is the top half of the SEC:
1. Kentucky (10-1)
2. Mississippi State (11-2)
3. Florida (9-2)
4. Tennessee (9-4)
5. Arkansas (8-4)
6. Ole Miss (6-6)
7. LSU (6-7)
The top four are locks for the NCAA Tournament, and that includes us. One more team probably makes it - possibly two. NCAA Volleyball works like Baseball/Softball - 16 host spots. Kentucky is a lock to host. Tennessee has a RPI of 15 and is projected to host. State is currently projected as a 2 seed - could they play themselves into hosting? Yes. But they probably have to be perfect.
Five matches remain
2 at home vs. Tennessee
2 at Arkansas
1 at home vs. Auburn
5-0 would also possibly win the SEC Championship for the Volleydawgs. Kentucky has 2 vs. a talented Texas A&M and 2 against Florida to finish the season. Its very possible they drop one of those four. They haven't looked unbeatable the last couple weeks and South Carolina, although better than their 4-9 SEC record, isn't near as talented as A&M or Florida.
If you are around Starkville - next weekend's games against Tennessee are huge. Biggest volleyball matches in school history.
They went 7-0.
On top of it all, defending national champion Kentucky dropped a match to South Carolina (a team better than their record), so the Volleydawgs sit just a game back of the SEC Championship with five matches to go. (UK did beat State in regular season, but ties aren't broken). Here is the top half of the SEC:
1. Kentucky (10-1)
2. Mississippi State (11-2)
3. Florida (9-2)
4. Tennessee (9-4)
5. Arkansas (8-4)
6. Ole Miss (6-6)
7. LSU (6-7)
The top four are locks for the NCAA Tournament, and that includes us. One more team probably makes it - possibly two. NCAA Volleyball works like Baseball/Softball - 16 host spots. Kentucky is a lock to host. Tennessee has a RPI of 15 and is projected to host. State is currently projected as a 2 seed - could they play themselves into hosting? Yes. But they probably have to be perfect.
Five matches remain
2 at home vs. Tennessee
2 at Arkansas
1 at home vs. Auburn
5-0 would also possibly win the SEC Championship for the Volleydawgs. Kentucky has 2 vs. a talented Texas A&M and 2 against Florida to finish the season. Its very possible they drop one of those four. They haven't looked unbeatable the last couple weeks and South Carolina, although better than their 4-9 SEC record, isn't near as talented as A&M or Florida.
If you are around Starkville - next weekend's games against Tennessee are huge. Biggest volleyball matches in school history.
