The Ole Miss volleyball team wrapped up its slate of spring exhibition matches with a win over a competitive Alabama-Huntsville team on Tuesday.
The Rebels were without two of their outside hitters, rising senior and All-SEC performer Emily Stroup and junior transfer Izzy Guzik. Both players were nursing injuries but have been practicing with the team.
“I think we are doing well. We have a lot (of room) to grow,” associate head coach Ronaldo Pacheco said. “We are down two players, so it gives more opportunities for (other players) to show where they are. This spring is just to see what options we have.”
Ole Miss struggled out of the gates and landed at a 6-1 deficit in the first set. Communication appeared to be lacking on defense, and the team struggled to close gaps on the floor. They settled in after a spell, going on a dominant 11-1 run to bring the score to 12-7.
Alabama-Huntsville responded with a 7-1 run of its own to regain the lead, exposing holes in the Rebel defense. After trading a few points back and forth, Ole Miss went on a 7-1 run propelled by rising junior Leah Mulkey. Mulkey had struggled to get going early but appeared
more confident as the set went on and buried multiple kills to help push the Rebels out in front.
Ole Miss closed out the first set with a 25-18 victory.
Rising sophomore Lauren Thompson was effective in the first set, registering 5 kills and 2 blocks. Mulkey ended the set with 3 kills of her own to go along with a service ace.
The second set was competitive all the way through, as the teams battled back and forth throughout. Ole Miss went on an 8-1 run early in the set to open up a 10-3 lead, but the UAH Chargers refused to go away, battling their way back into it and never letting the Rebels extend the lead beyond four points.
The Rebels shored up their communication on the defensive end but struggled to react to short balls and deflections off the net. They continued to excel in their blocking, which was a point of emphasis for coaches.
“I think making (blocking) a mindset and having it be on the forefront instead of it being
just second … We’re putting in a lot of blocking in practice and really focus on pushing over and the timing of it all,” assistant coach Tori Plugge said.
After Alabama-Huntsville brought the score back to 20-17, the Rebels closed out the set
with a 25-20 victory to go up two games to none.
Rising senior Nayo Warnell was an impact player in the second set, recording 6 kills and 4 blocks, and was a huge part of the early push that gave Ole Miss the cushion needed to win the set.
“We are trying to figure out what would be the best for (Warnell) — if she should be hitting in front of the setter or behind the setter,” Pacheco said. “We are trying a couple of things to find where she can be most productive for the team, but she did a good job today.”
The third set was the most competitive, as neither team was able to gain an edge. After Alabama-Huntsville took an 18-16 lead near the end of the set, Ole Miss pulled out in front with a 6-1 run led by Thompson and rising junior Bayleigh Scott. This gave them a three-point lead that they would not relinquish, and they finished the set 25-21.
Because both teams were trying to gain experience and playing time against a real opponent, they ended the match with a fourth set to 15, which the Rebels won handily at 15-6. With its spring exhibition matches over, Ole Miss now looks to prepare for next season and is gearing up for a run to the NCAA Tournament.
