Fangs Out: Georgia's Rising Threat

Biting Back: How Georgia Flipped Its SEC Start 

The Georgia Bulldogs volleyball team endured a challenging SEC start, dropping their first 3 conference matches to top tier opponents Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas. But instead of letting the early losses define them, the Bulldogs found their stride, racking up six consecutive SEC wins, including a dramatic five-set victory over Mississippi State that showcased their ability to compete in tough matches. Their run finally ended in a tough four-set loss to the Missouri Tigers last week, reminding everyone that the conference grind never takes a break. Throughout that stretch, two players have emerged as the steady heartbeat of Georgia’s rise, outside hitter Bianna Muoneke and middle blocker Kendal Kemp. Together, they’ve become the driving force behind the Bulldogs’ turnaround, blending Muoneke’s explosive scoring with Kemp’s commanding presence at the net. Their chemistry and consistency have turned Georgia from a somewhat middle of the pack team into a genuine SEC threat.   

Silent Killers: Muoneke and Kemp Fuel Georgia’s Rise 

Muoneke has stepped into a lead role for the Bulldogs, blending raw power with all-around game awareness. In the October 19th win against Mississippi State, she posted a career high 29 kills along with 18 digs, proving she’s not just a scoring finisher but also a defender when called upon. Head coach Tom Black attributes her rise to improved physicality and court IQ, after her breakout he said “she’s a totally different player.” On the other end of the court, Kemp is quietly becoming one of the SEC’s most disruptive middle blockers. Over a recent weekend stretch she posted 12 blocks and hit a blistering .485 clip, earning her the SEC Defensive player of the week honor for the second straight week. With Georgia averaging over three blocks per set, ranking seventh nationally and second in the SEC, Kemp’s presence at the net has grown into a genuine game-changer for the team. Together, Muoneke’s offensive explosiveness and Kemp’s net dominance form the foundation of Georgia’s resurgence, and their doing it with a quiet intensity that opponents are only beginning to feel. 

Kemp and Muoneke Set the Tone for Georgia’s Climb 

Recently, the Bulldogs demonstrated their growing strength during a stretch of key victories, most notably a 3-1 road win over the South Carolina Gamecocks on October 5th, where Georgia tallied 13 team blocks and redshirt – junior Kendal Kemp lead with eight. In that match, junior Bianna Muoneke posted 13 kills and 10 digs, one of her multiple double-doubles this season, and Georgia passed the 10 block threshold for the 10th time. Also crucial: Georgia’s win was built on balance and timely defense. The surge culminated in a six-match win streak, before it was snapped on October 26th by Missouri in a 3-1 defeat where the Bulldogs still notched 10 blocks. Through that window, the Muoneke-Kemp tandem stood out not only for raw numbers but for how their presence changed matches: Muoneke feeding off the atmosphere and closing sets with kills, Kemp anchoring the middle and altering attacks with her block timing. This shift, where Georgia doesn’t just compete but controls stretches of play, signals a Bulldogs squad that has found its bite again.