Ole Miss Volleyball Host Tennessee and No. 21 Kentucky

Courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

This weekend the Ole Miss volleyball team returns to action by hosting Tennessee and No. 21 Kentucky in SEC action at the Gillom Sports Center.

Last weekend, the Rebels split matches by falling to  Missouri in four sets Friday, then on Sunday Ole Miss defeated Arkansas in Fayetteville by a score of 3-2. The win gave Ole Miss a record of 17.5 and 3-4 in the conference which guaranteed their second consecutive winning season.

Coach Steven McRoberts’ squad is led by four players recording double-digit kills and digs. Seniors Ty Laporte and Nakeyta Clair have tallied 17 and 16 kills respectively. Both outsides Lexi Thompson and Kate Gibson posted double-doubles. Thompson finished with a season-high 15 kills and 12 digs while Gibson tallied 15 kills and a career-high 18 digs.

“We’re excited to play at home this week. Last year, they (Tennessee) were at the bottom of the conference,” said Coach McRoberts. “This year, they have a good team. They’re 17-5, so we know that it is going to be a tough match. Then we get the No. 1 team in the conference on Sunday, Kentucky. This could be another great win for us in the conference. We are 10th in the SEC right now, but we are one game out of fourth. I’m proud of these ladies and the hard work they’ve put in. It’s really paid off over the last few weeks and especially last Sunday.”

Tennessee enters the weekend at 18-5 overall and 4-4 in the SEC. They rallied for a 3-2 win over South Carolina last Sunday in Knoxville. The Vols are led by Kanisha Jimenez who averages 3.10 kills per set and Erica Treiber who ranks ninth in the conference in hitting percentage at .348. Their Libero, Bridgette Villano, ranks second in the SEC in digs per set with 4.52.

The match is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and it’s Greek Night.

Then on Sunday the No. 21 Kentucky Wildcats roll into Oxford to take on the Rebels. Fans looking to attend that match at 1:30 p.m. may enjoy Dad and Daughter Day. Diggin’ it with Dad includes a photo opportunity after the game along with Sundaes on Sunday and free t-shirts.

Adam Brown is the sports editor for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at adam.brown@hottytoddy.com.