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Olivia Sayer
Georgia outside hitter Kacie Evans (23) readies to pass the ball during the volleyball match between Georgia and Auburn at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia on Oct. 27, 2023. (Photo/Laney Martin;@LaneyMartinPhotography)
Georgia volleyball swept Missouri 3-0 last Saturday afternoon at Stegeman Coliseum.
Prior to the match, graduates Kacie Evans and Erica Staunton, senior Mallory Downing and redshirt-junior Mackenzie Norris were recognized to kickoff the Senior Day festivities. In front of a crowd of 1,771, the student-athletes were honored for their efforts and dedication to Georgia volleyball, with head coach Tom Black emphasizing their persistence during rebuilding years.
“It is hard to put [what the seniors mean to the team] into words,” Black said. “This program has been a rebuild on a rebuild. These seniors have been with it through both phases. They have been through the highs and the lows.”
Of those honored, Evans likely had the most memorable match. During the third set of play, she broke the record for all-time sets played by a Bulldog. Now sitting at 514, the previous record holder was Sue Ushela from 1981-84 with 513. Despite the tremendous accomplishment, the record was not even the most memorable moment from Evans’ night, as she also got engaged.
“Kacie’s provided so much to this program and has done things nobody could ever believe that she would be able to do,” senior and SEC player of the year Sophie Fischer said. “But she’s unreal.”
The first set began with the Bulldogs getting out to a 8-3 lead early, but the Tigers were quickly closing in. Georgia responded with back-to-back blocks, an Estelle Haugen ace and an Evans kill to extend its lead to six, causing Missouri to burn its final timeout. Following the break, the Bulldogs kept rolling, as they defeated the Tigers 25-18. Behind six blocks, Georgia held Missouri to a .088 hitting percentage.
Georgia carried its momentum into the second set, as it went up 6-2 early. The Bulldog offense caught fire, as it hit .536 while cruising to a 25-17 victory.
The third set was more suspenseful, as it featured five ties and five lead changes. Once again, Georgia grabbed the lead early, but Missouri responded with four straight to take its first lead of the match, 5-3. The Bulldogs offense went to work as they won seven of the next nine points to regain the lead 10-7. The Tigers battled back, but Georgia kept them at bay and came out victorious 25-19.
The win improved the Bulldogs to 19-11 and 10-8 in conference play.