Volleyball Wins Thriller Over Mississippi State 3-2

Nov. 11, 2001

OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss volleyball team found itself down 0-2 to arch-rival Mississippi State Sunday, as well as losing its captain, senior Jaime Burns, to a knee injury at the end of game two. But, the Lady Rebels would rally to win a thrilling game five to take the match 26-30, 33-35, 30-28, 30-28, 21-19 on senior day at the Gillom Sports Center.

The Lady Rebels (7-18, 3-12) forced a game five with two exciting wins in games three and four. State led 11-9 in the deciding game, but Ole Miss would tie and eventually have match point at 15-14. The Lady Bulldogs won two consecutive points to get their own match point at 16-15. They would have three more match points, including 19-18, but the Lady Rebels tied it up again (19-19), and then sophomore setter Jade Polonich served out the win for Ole Miss.

"This was a great match for college volleyball," head coach John Blair said. "I am so happy for our seniors to go out winners. They have meant so much to our program. It is disappointing for Jaime to go down in her last match, but the team showed a lot of heart and character to come back from being down 0-2. We beat a very good Mississippi State team. It will be a match they will never forget."

Mississippi State (8-17, 3-12) won game one 30-26. The Lady Bulldogs led by two (10-8) early, and then went on a 5-0 run to go ahead 15-9 before taking the game. State's Hilary Chambers hit .571 to lead the effort.

Ole Miss led game two 16-11, but State won five straight points to tie it. The game went back and forth and went into extra time. With the game tied at 33-33, the Lady Bulldogs won the next two points to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Burns went down with a torn left ACL on match point of the game.

The Lady Rebels extended the match with a 30-28 win of game three. Ole Miss led 22-20, but State won the next three points to take a 23-22 lead. The Lady Bulldogs led 28-26, but Ole Miss would win the final four points to force a game four.

Ole Miss won game four 30-28, behind the play of freshman Elena Garcia. She had seven kills on 14 attempts for a hitting percentage of .429. Ole Miss jumped out to an 18-10 lead. State tied it up at 23-23, before the Lady Rebels regained the lead 26-23. Ole Miss led 29-28 when Garcia recorded her seventh kill of the game to force the deciding outcome.

It marked the third time this year, that the Lady Rebels have come back from a 0-2 deficit to win a match. They also rallied to defeat Arkansas State in the Magnolia Invitational and Auburn here. Ole Miss improved to 4-3 in five-game matches.

With the win, Ole Miss recorded its 50th win over Mississippi State in the history of the series. The Lady Rebels now lead 50-12.

Garcia led the Lady Rebels with her 12th double-double of the season with 18 kills and 15 digs. Senior Abby Hollander closed out her career in style with 17 kills, six digs and eight total blocks. Leigh Rittiner, the third senior on the team, also contributed hugely, notching a double-double of 11 kills and 12 digs, and adding five blocks.

Mississippi State's Tanika Taylor finished with 31 kills and 18 digs to lead the Lady Bulldogs. Misty Hubenthal had 21 kills and Jennifer Rousey and Chambers finished with 15 kills each in the loss.

OLE MISS (7-18, 3-12)       26  33  30  30  21Mississippi State (8-17, 3-12)  30  35  28  28  19

Ole Miss Sports Information November 11, 2001

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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