Ole Miss Volleyball excelled in the first three home matches of the season during the Ole Miss Invitational tournament last weekend. With a 4-2 start to the season on the road, the Rebels looked to make a statement in their first matches at home; they did not disappoint.
Match one: Defeated Drake 3-0
Match one took place on Friday, Sept. 13 against Drake University. Set one was back and forth despite a hot start by Ole Miss. The Bulldogs pushed ahead late, but the Rebels fought back to claim set one 28-26.
In set two, Ole Miss recorded five service aces, which helped the team to a 25-15 win to put the Rebels up 2-0.
The Rebels secured set three 25-20 to find their first match sweep of the tournament. Sophomore outside hitter Shayla Meyer played a key role in the Rebels’ first home win. Meyer amassed 14 kills and 13 digs, earning a double-double against Drake.
Match two: Defeated Florida Gulf Coast 3-2
After a clean sweep in match one, the Rebels had to put up a big fight to find success against Florida Gulf Coast University.
Meyer put on a show with her career-high 21 kills in the intense back-and-forth match against the Eagles. Despite 13 errors from the Rebels, they pushed through and took set one 33-31.
FGCU was a solid opponent that specialized in defensive coverage and carried some powerful hitters on the squad. Outside hitter Barbara Koehler helped the Eagles with 15 kills.
The late surge in set one helped carry the momentum to the Rebels with a dominating 25-14 set two win. FGCU kept fighting and tied the match by winning the next two sets, forcing a fifth set.
Senior outside hitter Julia Dyess came off the bench in set five and made herself known with four kills and a service ace, earning one-third of the points in the 15-13 set five win. The Rebels topped the Eagles 3-2 and took their second home win.
Match three: Defeated Little Rock 3-0
Meyer continued to impress in the final match of the weekend against Little Rock, putting up 15 kills in the Rebels’ 3-0 sweep — their second of the weekend.
The Rebels handled Little Rock with ease, losing their lead only once the match in set three. Ole Miss secured all three tournament matches in the first few home games of the season and now looks forward to a Big 12 match on the road.
Who’s next?
Ole Miss will travel to Houston to take on the Houston Cougars in a Big 12 vs SEC matchup on Friday, Sept. 20. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
