The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Hit The Road To Face Mississippi State, Alabama
10/20/2010 | Volleyball
Oct. 20, 2010
OXFORD, Miss.- The Rebel volleyball team weathered the storm in the first half of conference play, emerging atop the Southeastern Conference's Western Division and sitting in second place in the overall standings.
With 10 matches left to play in the schedule, Ole Miss (14-5, 8-2 SEC) now hits the road to open the second half of conference play with a five-match win streak in hand and a match-up with in-state rival Mississippi State set for Friday at 7 p.m.
The Rebels defeated Mississippi State 3-1 in Oxford in the opening weekend of conference play and would like to keep the win streak alive on Friday night with a sweep of the Bulldogs on the season.
"We need to go on the road and do the things we did well at home," said Ole Miss head coach Joe Getzin. "In the SEC, everyone is capable of beating anyone else on any given night. We'll have to bring our 'A' game with us this weekend. Both teams have good players and Ashley Newsome is an All-SEC caliber player for Mississippi State. It's always an emotional match and we have to be ready to go on Friday night.
"Alabama has All-SEC caliber players in Alyssa Meuth and Kayla Fitterer and I know both teams are anxious to play at home. We have to go on the road and play solid volleyball."
Alabama and Mississippi State face off Wednesday night in Starkville before the weekend matches with the Rebels.
Ole Miss will continue to look to its middle blockers as a key part of their offense this weekend against the Western Division rivals. Junior Regina Thomas has been a consistent force for the Rebels, leading the SEC in blocks per set and hitting percentage this season. Thomas' .412 hitting percentage is 10th-nationally and she is 28th-nationally in blocks per set at 1.27 on the year.
Miranda Kitts also converts at an efficient pace for the Rebels, hitting at a .318 clip and putting down almost 2.5 kills per set. She also averages more than a block per set alongside Thomas.
Sophomore outside hitter Whitney Craven leads the Rebel offense in kills per set and total kills. Craven averages more than three kills per set and has put down 213 kills to date. Right side hitter Allegra Wells rounds out the attacking for the Rebels with 164 kills on the year and putting down almost 2.5 kills per set herself.
Morgan Springer leads the back row defense of the Rebels with 4.80 digs per set, the second highest total in the league. She has also come up with 317 digs to date. Sophomore Amanda Philpot sets the Rebel offense with a 7.28 assist per set average as she serves as the quarterback on the floor, distributing the ball efficiently in the Ole Miss offense.
Fans can track both matches on the internet via Gametracker at www.OleMissSports.com. The match against the Bulldogs is at 7 p.m. on Friday night, while Sunday's contest at Alabama begins at 1:30 p.m.
