.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Mercer
Rebels Capture Ole Miss Classic
9/8/2017 | Volleyball
Box Score (PDF) | Highlights | McRoberts Interview | Lexi Thompson Interview
OXFORD, Miss. - Trailing 2-1 against Mercer in the final match of the Ole Miss Classic, the Rebel volleyball team, led by senior Lexi Thompson, rallied for a 3-2 win Friday night at the Gillom Sports Center to capture the tournament title.
Thompson was name Most Valuable Player after posting her 42nd career and eighth double-double of the season with 24 kills, 16 digs, 5 blocks and 2 service aces. She also hit .377. For the weekend Thompson tallied 47 kills and 35 digs and hit .279.
The senior outside hitter stepped up huge in the final three sets with 17 kills. After doing her best to keep the Rebels in set three, she helped them close out the Bears in set four. In set five, consecutive kills by Thompson and sophomore Emily Stroup gave the Rebels a 10-7 lead. Mercer pulled to within one, 10-9, but then Thompson slammed home another kill to give the Rebels a two-point cushion. Mercer never got closer than two and on match point at 14-11, junior libero Caroline Adams aced the Bears for the final 15-11 and the 3-2 win.
The Rebels got off to a fast start in the match leading set one 11-5 and forcing a timeout by Mercer. The Bears never threatened the rest of the way, as Ole Miss finished off the set 25-18 to take the early momentum.
With the second set tied 12-12, Mercer went on a 7-1 run to go up 19-13. They led 21-14, before Ole Miss won three straight points on attack errors from Mercer. The Bears gained their first set point at 24-19, but the Rebels saved three before Mercer closed it out 25-21 to tie the match.
Mercer broke open a close start to set three and led 20-13 late. Thompson had eight kills in set three to keep the Rebels hanging around. She knocked down four kills in in a 6-0 run for the Rebels to get within 20-19. Mercer answered with a 4-0 run to go back up 24-20 and ended up closing out the set 25-21.
The Rebels built an early five-point lead in set four and never relinquished it going on to win 25-11 and force the decisive set five. Thompson had five kills in that must-win set for the Rebels.
Quick Hits
• Ole Miss moved to 7-3 on the season.
• The Rebels improved to 2-0 against Mercer.
• This marked the first tournament title of the season for the Rebels.
• It also marked the team's third five-setter of the year as the Rebels are now 2-1 in those.
• Senior Lexi Thompson was named tournament MVP, while junior Caroline Adams and senior Kate Gibson joined her on the All-Tournament Team.
• Thompson tallied her 42nd career and SEC-leading 8th double-double of the year with 24 kills and 16 digs. She also hit a season-best .377 and added 5 blocks and 2 service aces.
• Thompson led all players on the night with 29.5 points and averaged 4.91 points per set for the weekend.
• Adams posted 21 digs on the night and finished the tournament with 46 (4.18 per set).
• Gibson tallied a double-double of 10 kills and 13 digs to go with 2 service aces.
• Sophomore Nayo Warnell and freshman Bayleigh Scott combined to post 10 kills and 8 blocks.
• Freshman Lauren Bars passed out 24 assists and had 67 total in the three matches.
Next up…
The Rebels will hit the road next week for a match at Northern Colorado on Sept. 12 followed by the UCF Invitational in Orlando, Florida Sept. 16-17.
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.
