Georgia turns tables, claims sweep in final

It was a case of the Georgia Bulldogs doing to Mississippi State on Thursday what was done unto them on Wednesday.

After being swept by MSU on Wednesday, Georgia turned the tables on its host and defeated State 3-0 at Newell-grissom Building.

The season ended on a losing note for head coach Julie Darty Dennis’ Bulldogs.

“(Thursday) was a tough one,” Darty Dennis said. “I hate to see our season end on a loss that I just don’t feel like was us. I think the way we played Georgia (Wednesday) was a lot more of a representation of who we are and how gritty we are and how committed we were to playing hard all year round.”

Georgia jumped out to a lead to open the first set, but MSU came back to force a 15-15 tie. The visiting Bulldogs moved back out to a 2116 advantage and held on to win the first set 25-23.

Gabby Waden had a kill to open the second set for State, but Georgia showed a much more aggressive style than Wednesday and raced out to a 19-14 lead which forced an MSU timeout. State was able to close the gap to 20-19, but Georgia went on to take the second set by the same score as the first 25-23.

Georgia established a 15-9 advantage in the third set, remained in pretty much control and captured a 25-18 victory to clinch the match.

Lilly Gunter led MSU with 20 digs and finished her freshman season with 257 digs. Waden and Lauren Myrick had eight kills each to pace the attack for the Bulldogs from Starkville.

State finished the season, which included the fall and spring, at 5-15.

“This has been two semesters of competing, scouting and playing, and these kids have not had a break,” Darty Dennis said. “I’m just so proud of how they have been dedicated and committed to playing at such a high level. I’m so proud of this group.

“To jump from two SEC wins from last year to five this year is something that we’re just really excited about. We’ve just been talking a lot about progress, process, and really just being bought into (that process). (Thursday) the result wasn’t great, but I know that these kids are excited about the future and we have a lot to look forward to.”