Ole Miss Volleyball Tops Southern Miss in Four-Set Thriller

OXFORD, Miss. — The Ole Miss volleyball team earned a 3-1 win over Southern Miss on Saturday at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center. The Rebels, now 4-2, showcased strong performances from Jorda Crook and Melia Johnson to secure the victory.

Crook finished with a season-high 23 kills on a .349 hitting percentage, also contributing a career-high seven blocks and six digs. Johnson added 14 kills on a .522 clip and recorded 14 digs for a double-double. Shayla Meyer contributed 17 kills with a .256 hitting percentage, while Cameron Bradley posted 18 digs, according to the team.

The opening set was tightly contested, with neither team gaining a significant advantage early. Southern Miss led 7-1 before Ole Miss rallied. Crook’s nine kills helped the Rebels win a marathon set, 32-30. The Golden Eagles responded in the second set, taking it 25-20 after Ole Miss struggled with errors and offensive inconsistencies.

The third set saw momentum swing back and forth before Ole Miss seized control. After trailing 14-9, the Rebels used a rally sparked by Crook’s four kills to tie the game at 17-17. They eventually won the set 25-23, thanks in part to five kills from Crook and strong hitting from Johnson, who posted a .833 percentage.

Ole Miss dominated the final set with a blistering .667 team hitting percentage, securing the match with a 25-14 victory. The team’s offensive firepower was on display as Meyer contributed six kills during a critical 17-4 run. The Rebels will face Central Arkansas on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT in their final match of the Classic, which will be streamed on SEC Network Plus.

Supporters are encouraged to join the Rebel Rewards program to earn points, with proceeds helping fund the program. For updates, follow Ole Miss Volleyball on X at @OleMissVB, on Instagram at @olemissvb, and on Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball.

Source: Original Article