Mississippi State volleyball head coach Julie Darty Dennis has dipped into the transfer portal for the first time this offseason, adding outside hitter and defensive specialist Payton Woods from Sam Houston State.
Woods appeared in 14 matches for the Bearkats as a freshman in 2023, finishing with 3.2 kills, 0.82 digs and 0.43 blocks per set and earning a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman Team. She attended Lake Creek High School in Montgomery, Texas, where she set the school records for kills, digs and aces.
The Bulldogs finished 13-15 overall last fall and 6-12 in Southeastern Conference play, and most of their offensive production will be returning in 2024. Kill leader Karli Schmidt is back for her final season of eligibility, and Amina Shackelford and Rebecca Walk will return as well. Middle blocker Sanaa Williams and defensive specialist Mary Neal are also back in the fold.
“She is a wonderful, kind, talented and determined player and person,” Darty Dennis said in a release. “She will fit right into our culture and our gym and will continue to help us work hard to achieve our goals on and off the court.”
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