Ole Miss Volleyball to Open SEC Play at Alabama on Sunday
The Ole Miss volleyball team is set to begin SEC play on Sunday with a road match against Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Central Time and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
Ole Miss enters the matchup with a 6-5 record, while Alabama is 8-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play. The Rebels have won the last seven matches against the Crimson Tide and have not lost in Tuscaloosa since 2019, according to team sources.
Ole Miss has shown a tendency to finish matches strong, with a 14-9 record in sets three through five this season. Libero Cameron Bradley leads the SEC in digs per set at 4.95 and ranks eighth nationally despite missing a match last weekend due to injury. The Rebels are 6-0 when recording at least seven service aces.
Jorda Crook, the Rebels’ transfer opposite hitter, is nearing a career milestone, needing just 20 kills to reach 1,000. Sophomore Carly Paugh has made an impact at the net with 41 blocks in 11 matches, surpassing her total from last season.
While the all-time series favors Alabama 47-33, Ole Miss has gained momentum in recent seasons. The Rebels have won seven straight matches against the Tide, including last year’s 3-2 victory. The teams have often played in five-set matches, indicating a close rivalry.
In their last outing, the Rebels lost 3-1 to Grand Canyon in Lawrence, Kansas. Shayla Meyer led with 14 kills and 12 digs, and Ryea Jackson posted a .750 hitting percentage with 10 kills. Cameron Bradley, despite injury, was replaced by Bella Bonanno, who contributed 14 digs and six assists.
Bradley has been a standout this season, tallying 78 digs over the first three matches and earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. She ranks second in the SEC in total digs with 203 and eighth nationally in digs per set.
Jorda Crook, transferred from UAB, has made a significant impact with 145 kills and 42 blocks this season. Her previous accomplishments include two All-AAC First Team selections and five AAC Player of the Week awards.
Looking ahead, Ole Miss will face several NCAA Tournament teams, including Alabama, Northern Arizona, Ohio State, and Clemson, among others, in upcoming matches. The team has already secured wins over Central Arkansas, Northern Arizona, Ohio State, and Clemson.
Senior Shayla Meyer continues to climb the program’s career lists, recently reaching eighth in service aces with 82. She aims to reach 100 aces in her career, as well as milestones in kills and digs, with current totals of 859 and 710, respectively.
Alabama, under head coach Rashinda Reed, has improved its record each season and stands at 8-2. The Tide lost their SEC opener to LSU in five sets. Strong serving has been a hallmark, led by setter Hannah Parant’s 24 aces. The team’s top scorer is Laney Hennessee, averaging 3.26 kills per set, with effective middle hitters Lily Gervase and Addison Engel.
Defensive stats indicate some struggles, with the team averaging 1.64 blocks and 12.13 digs per set. Fans can support Ole Miss by joining the ACE Club, which helps fund the volleyball program.
Follow Ole Miss Volleyball on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) at @OleMissVB, Instagram at @olemissvb, and Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and live coverage.
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