Ty Laporte, an Ole Miss student and member of the track and volleyball team, died in a car wreck shortly after midnight on Friday morning on Highway 7 near Holly Springs.
According to WTVA, Laporte pulled into the path of an oncoming 18 wheeler.
Laporte, from Irmo, South Carolina, was a senior student at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media majoring in integrated marketing communications.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by Ty’s death,” said Ole Miss Athletics Director Ross Bjork. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her teammates, coaches and our staff during this difficult time. Everyone in the Ole Miss family offers our deepest sympathy to everyone who was touched by Ty’s amazing and infectious spirit.”
During her senior year, Laporte won several awards and honorable mentions such as the AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region, ranked in the top 10 in the SEC in hitting percentage, named Co-SEC Offensive Player of the Week, MVP honors for the Fight Like Hal Memorial Tournament and named to the Hilton Garden Inn Cary Classic All-Tournament Team.
“Our volleyball family is so heartbroken today with this news,” said Ole Miss head volleyball coach Steven McRoberts. “Ty’s smile would light up the room, and her passion was contagious. She was loved by all of her teammates and coaches. Ty will be greatly missed by not only the volleyball team but the whole Ole Miss community.”
Laporte, also a member of the track team, ranks ninth in school history in the outdoor high jump with a college-best clearance of 5-7.75. Laporte was truly an incredible athlete at Ole Miss.
”This is another tragic loss for our campus community and especially our student-athletes, their coaches and administration,” said Brandi Hephner LaBanc, vice chancellor for student affairs. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ty’s family, teammates and friends.”
Emily Newton is a staff writer for hottytoddy.com and the editor of Experience Oxford magazine. She can be reached at Emily.newton@hottytoddy.com.
Ole Miss Communications contributed to this story.
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