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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Volleyball Set for 2017 Opener
8/24/2017 | Volleyball
Watch: SECN+ - Louisiana Tech | North Dakota | Chattanooga | Florida A&M
Live Stats: | | | Tournament Website | Complete Game Notes (PDF)
OXFORD, Miss. รยขรขโยฌ" After two weeks of preseason practices, the Ole Miss volleyball team kicks off the 2017 season in style at the newly-renovated Gillom Sports Center this weekend hosting the Rebel Invitational.
The Rebels will kick off the tournament Friday against Louisiana Tech at 11 a.m. in one of two Kid's Day games this year. Ole Miss will also face North Dakota later that day at 6 p.m. The Rebels face Chattanooga Saturday at 1 p.m., and conclude the tournament with Florida A&M Sunday at 1 p.m.
Watchรขโฌยฆ
For those who can't make it to Gillom or live out of town, all four of the Rebels' matches during the tournament will be on SEC Network + via the Watch ESPN app. Seth Austin and Brittney McLaughlin will be on the call.
Promotionsรขโฌยฆ
Fans coming to the matches this weekend can pick up the schedule posters featuring seniors Kate Gibson and Lexi Thompson and junior Caroline Adams.
Quick Hitsรขโฌยฆ
รขโฌยข This marks the fourth season under head coach Steven McRoberts, who has never had a losing season in his 20 years of coaching.
รขโฌยข After playing the 2016 season in The Pavilion, the Rebels are excited to be back in the newly-renovated Gillom Sports Center this season. Updates to Gillom include new seating and amenities to the playing area, locker room and team room updates for volleyball, soccer and softball, video rooms and an extensive training room and weight room. Everything the team needs to be successful is all under one roof.
รขโฌยข The Rebels return nine letterwinners this year, including three starters and their libero from last year. Leading the way are senior outside hitters Lexi Thompson and Kate Gibson. Both recorded their 1,000th kills last year and will become the first members of the 1,000/1,000 club in the rally scoring era at Ole Miss this season. Gibson needs 37 digs to join the elite club, and Thompson needs 82 to make it.
รขโฌยข Also back is defensive specialist Caroline Adams, who started the last 12 matches in 2016 at libero and led the team with 376 digs. She ranked among the conference leaders in SEC matches only with 3.71 digs per set.
รขโฌยข Sophomore Nayo Warnell played in all 31 matches as a freshman and started 29. She finished second on the team with 82 blocks (0.68 per set).
รขโฌยข Five newcomers dot the roster this year, including two transfers, middle blocker Delaney Gallagher (Middle Tennessee State) and outside hitter Caitlin Wernentin (UNLV). Wernentin helped lead UNLV to a 24-8 record in 2016 and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
รขโฌยข The Rebels have to replace the "quarterback" of the offense, as setter Aubrey Edie graduated as the all-time record holder in assists at Ole Miss. Sophomore Jordan Fate and freshman Lauren Bars will look to fill those shoes.
รขโฌยข New to the coaching staff this year, is assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Tori Mellinger, who played for Texas A&M and spent the past two seasons as an assistant at Arkansas State. Also new to the staff is Damaris Linker, serving as the director of operations.
รขโฌยข The Rebels are 19-21 all-time in season openers and have won four straight.
For more information on Ole Miss Volleyball, follow the Rebels on Twitter, @OleMissVB, on Facebook at OleMissVolleyball and on Instagram at OleMissVB. Also follow Coach McRoberts on Twitter, @CoachMcRoberts.
