The University of Mississippi Athletics
Lady Rebels Take On Mississippi State Squad On The Road
10/12/2004 | Volleyball
Oct. 12, 2004
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss will take to the road this week as it continues Southeastern Conference play and searches for its second win of the season in conference play at Mississippi State on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
The Lady Rebels, who lead the all-time series 52-9 and hold a five-game winning streak heading into the match-up, are coming off a pair of losses to South Carolina and No. 18 Tennessee. Both teams also defeated the Bulldogs over the weekend.
"We have a challenge ahead of us tonight against a much improved and good Mississippi State team," said Ole Miss head coach Joe Getzin. "They are playing well and have picked up some good wins this season. I am sure we will be in for a dogfight on Wednesday. We'll have to step up and play our best."
Ole Miss will look to Kristen Carroll to continue to lead the team, as the sophomore has paced the Lady Rebels this season with 169 kills.
Elena Garcia will also be looked to as an effective all-around threat as the senior has split her time this season between outside hitter and libero. Garcia broke into the 1,000/1,000 club over the weekend, becoming the sixth Ole Miss player in history to break 1,000 in kills and digs for a career. Garcia has tallied 201 digs and 107 kills this season.
Tricia Eble will be looked to for leadership in the middle, as the junior is third on the team in kills with 117 and also leads the team in blocks with 56. Eble is seventh in the Southeastern Conference in blocks per game with 1.24 a game.
Mississippi State will be looking to Rachel Cooper to lead the attack against the Lady Rebels on Wednesday, as Cooper leads the Bulldogs with 245 kills on the year. She is the primary offensive threat for Mississippi State, as only one other play has recorded triple digit kills.
Rachel Mead sets the offense for the Bulldogs, tallying 651 assists to date.
Defense has been a hallmark of Mississippi State's squad this season as five players have come up with more than 130 digs on the season. Ashley Sledge leads the way for the Bulldogs with 193 digs.
The match will begin at 7 p.m. in the Newell-Grissom Building on the campus of Mississippi State University.
