University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs Fail To Complete Weekend Sweep
October 15, 2006 | Volleyball
ATHENS, Ga. --- The Georgia volleyball team could not complete the sweep of its weekend opponents, dropping Sunday’s match with Ole Miss in three games (30-23, 30-22, 30-20) at the Ramsey Center.
The Bulldogs (5-15, 1-9 Southeastern Conference) won their match Friday against Mississippi State 3-2, but the Rebels (12-8, 4-6 SEC) were too much for the Georgia squad on both offense and defense during Sunday’s match.
“For as good as we were on Friday, we just did not show up today,” said Georgia head coach Steffi Legall. “We never adjusted to Ole Miss using high hands and playing the ball off our blocks and we never got into our offensive rhythm, whether it was passing or hitting. We have to give Ole Miss credit for their defense. When we don’t get our middle blockers into the game, we struggle on the outside and that happened today.”
Sophomores Maria Taylor and Brooke Peugh each had eight kills to lead the team, while junior Brooke Burlingame paced the Bulldogs with 15 digs. Setter Chelsea Young dished out 23 assists and 10 digs to record her second straight double-double in as many matches.
Leaders for the Rebels include Jaclyn Toohey with 18 kills, Rachel Kieckhaefer with 43 assists and Kristen Carroll with 15 digs.
“We are never going to win with 28 kills,” Legall said. “Ole Miss outperformed us in all areas today.”
The Bulldogs came out strong in game one, cruising to an early 8-2 lead and forcing Ole Miss to call a timeout. Georgia extended its lead to as many as eight points before Ole Miss went on a run to close the gap and eventually take its first lead since the first point of the game at 20-19. The Rebels finished by allowing only four more points and winning game one 30-23.
Game two went back and forth with neither team earning more than a two-point lead until the Rebels jumped ahead 20-17, forcing a Georgia timeout. Ole Miss maintained the momentum, however, topping Georgia in the second game 30-22.
In the third game, Georgia led 6-5 when Ole Miss exploded for an 18-0 run to grab a 23-6 lead. The Bulldogs made several rallies but could not overcome their deficit and dropped the final game 30-20.
The Bulldogs take to the road next weekend for contests at Auburn (Friday, Oct. 20) and Florida (Sunday, Oct. 21) before returning home the following weekend to battle LSU and Arkansas.
“We have to try and find our offensive rhythm this week in practice and really focus on the next two matches to get back on track,” said Legall.
