After their first two home game wins, the Lady Rebels traveled to Lubbock, Texas last weekend. They competed in the Red Raider Classic on Friday and Saturday at Texas Tech.
Incarnate Word (won 3-0)
The Rebels opened the weekend with a sweep on Friday morning against Incarnate Word.
To start the first set, Gabi Placide and Shayla Meyer combined for eight of the team’s first 10 kills. The Rebels continued to lead until the Cardinals fought back to a 17-16 lead.
However, Meyers overpowered the Cardinals with 10 kills in the opener and helped the Rebels take the set 25-22.
Going into the second set, the dominant duo continued. Tied at 10-10, Placide came through with a survival ace and sparked a run for the Rebels. They took the lead again and their block ultimately took over the Cardinals. They finished the set 25-17 with kills from Keirstyn Carlton and Meyer.
The Rebels went into the last set with lots of momentum. Early on they used their block to quickly build a lead. A 6-2 run extended the advantage to 16-11, and Meyer finished off the game with a season-high of 20 kills to help Ole Miss secure the win, 25-17.
Texas Tech (won 3-1)
Later that afternoon, the Rebels continued their play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Ole Miss jumped out early and Placide led the offense with three kills. This did not stop the Red Raiders, they fought back to take the lead by one. The Rebel blocking by Carlton and Carly Paugh highlighted the set and helped the Rebels finish with a 25-23 win.
The second set was a back-and-forth match up. Both teams took leads. The Rebels key component was Placide who gave them a 4-1 run.
The Rebels took a huge lead of 20-18. That did not stop the Red Raiders, they put up a 6-1 run to get three set points. The Rebels fought off two, but the Red Raiders held on 25-23 to even the match.
Ole Miss surged ahead behind a dominant serving stretch from Cammy Niesen, which included three aces in a 7-0 run to begin the third set. They continued with a solid block and Placide finished off the set to give the Rebels a 25-17 set win.
Mokihana Tufono made her presence felt by masterfully setting up Placide and Meyer on several occasions. As the set came closer to an end, Placide reached a career high on her final kill count and they secured the win 25-20 to take the match from the Red Raiders.
UAlbany (won 3-1)
Saturday afternoon the Rebels headed back to the gym to take on UAlbany. They trailed early in the first set, but Placide and Tufono sparked a rally and paired up on a couple kills. Neisen added a clutch ace before Carlton closed with a kill and two blocks to give the set win to the Rebels.
The Rebels built a 20-15 lead behind Placide and Carlton, but the Great Danes did not back down and came with a 9-3 run leading them to 24-23. Placide came in with a kill and Tessa Jones added another, but unfortunately UAlbany rallied to a 27-25 set victory.
Momentum swung back-and-forth between the two teams in the third set. Blocks from Jones and Paugh gave the Rebels another life. Placide continued to dominate with 20 kills in the match and Meyer started to get hot as the Rebels took the lead. Several key blocks lead the Rebels to a win 25-23.
Coming into the fourth set. The Rebels were ready to take control. Early on Cameron Bradley’s aces and Tufono’s all-around play helped them pull ahead. UAlbany did not back down and took the lead 16-15, but the Rebels responded with balanced scoring and defense to close out the set 25-15 and take the match.
What’s next?
The Rebels will be back in action next Friday at 7 p.m. in SEC play against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. SEC Network+ will broadcast the game.
