The University of Mississippi Athletics

Photo by: Ole Miss Athletics
Volleyball Sweeps Day 1 of Rebel Invite
8/31/2018 | Volleyball
Junior Emily Stroup matches a career-high 23 kills in nightcap
Ole Miss-Samford Box Score (PDF)
Ole MIss-Ohio State Box Score (PDF)
Photo Gallery-Samford
Photo Gallery-Ohio State
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss Volleyball turned in an impressive start to the 2018 Rebel Invitational, picking up two wins Friday at Gillom Athletics Performance Center.
The Rebels improve to 4-1 on the season after recording their first sweep of the year over Samford (25-18, 25-15, 25-20) in the morning session, and then picking up a huge victory over their fourth Power 5 opponent of the season in Ohio State (27-29, 25-17, 25-14, 22-22, 15-13).
The victory over Ohio State marks Head Coach Steven McRoberts' second over a Big 10 foe in as many attempts (3-2 vs. Northwestern, 2016).
"It's really nice to get to play in front of our fans," McRoberts said, "And getting to do that twice today with big crowds in both, energizes our team and getting that win tonight over Ohio State was just amazing.
We want to finish out our tournament the right way, but we've got two good teams ahead of us and we know what we're up against."
Junior outside Emily Stroup had an impressive day on the court, tallying 36 kills across eight sets. Stroup delivered a career performance in the nightcap, tying her personal-best with 23 kills. She also registered 16 digs, marking her fourth double-double of the season.
"The atmosphere tonight was awesome," Stroup said of the evening's victory. "But we had so many people who contributed tonight- Caitlin [Wernentin] and Leah [Mulkey] stepped up- because we knew this was going to be a really good team and it's always fun when you play your best and play against a great team."
MATCH 1: OLE MISS 3, SAMFORD 0
Stroup led the way with 13 kills on a .357 hitting efficiency. Sophomore middle Bayleigh Scott recorded a career-best, hitting at an .833 clip adding two solo rejections, while classmate Leah Mulkey added six kills.
The Rebels started off impressive, taking the first six points of the contest and then taking a 12-2 lead in the opening stanza, thanks in large part to four kills courtesy of Stroup.
The Bulldogs battled, picking up 12 of the next 15 points before the Rebels responded with six consecutive points, including an ace from junior DS Nicole Purcell, that switched the momentum back in favor of Ole Miss, who went on to take the set 25-18.
The Rebels used two separate 5-0 rallies to build a lead as high as 11 before going on to secure victory at 25-15.
The final contest began as a much tighter affair, with Samford staying within four points of the Rebels until the final eight points. Ole Miss secured five of the last eight to take the set 25-20, securing their first sweep of the season.
MATCH 2: OLE MISS 3, OHIO STATE 2
In addition to Stroup's impressive evening, outsides Leah Mulkey and Caitlin Wernentin each had big performances with double-digit kills in 12 and 11, respectively.
Freshman Aubrey Sultemeier was also productive, falling one block shy of her career high, picking up seven rejections and adding eight kills on a .417 clip.
The opening frame of the Rebels' nightcap was truly a back-and-forth affair with 14 ties and six lead changes as the two squads battled through four extra points before OIe Miss fell 29-27.
The Rebels bounced back in Set 2, putting on a late-frame rally with six straight points to take the set 25-17. Stroup turned in four consecutive kills before Scott sealed the deal with back-to-back aces.
Ole Miss trailed for most of the fourth set but found momentum late in the frame. Stroup again registered back-to-back kills to tie and then subsequently take the lead at 22-21. Four consecutive errors found the favor of the Buckeyes, who took the set 25-22.
Batting in the final frame, the Rebels used a 5-0 run to take a 10-6 lead before Ohio State kept things interesting, taking four straight before Stroup sealed the win with her career-matching kill.
UP NEXT
Ole Miss plays just one match in the second day of the Rebel Invitational, taking on undefeated Little Rock at 2:30 p.m.
Ole MIss-Ohio State Box Score (PDF)
Photo Gallery-Samford
Photo Gallery-Ohio State
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss Volleyball turned in an impressive start to the 2018 Rebel Invitational, picking up two wins Friday at Gillom Athletics Performance Center.
The Rebels improve to 4-1 on the season after recording their first sweep of the year over Samford (25-18, 25-15, 25-20) in the morning session, and then picking up a huge victory over their fourth Power 5 opponent of the season in Ohio State (27-29, 25-17, 25-14, 22-22, 15-13).
The victory over Ohio State marks Head Coach Steven McRoberts' second over a Big 10 foe in as many attempts (3-2 vs. Northwestern, 2016).
"It's really nice to get to play in front of our fans," McRoberts said, "And getting to do that twice today with big crowds in both, energizes our team and getting that win tonight over Ohio State was just amazing.
We want to finish out our tournament the right way, but we've got two good teams ahead of us and we know what we're up against."
Junior outside Emily Stroup had an impressive day on the court, tallying 36 kills across eight sets. Stroup delivered a career performance in the nightcap, tying her personal-best with 23 kills. She also registered 16 digs, marking her fourth double-double of the season.
"The atmosphere tonight was awesome," Stroup said of the evening's victory. "But we had so many people who contributed tonight- Caitlin [Wernentin] and Leah [Mulkey] stepped up- because we knew this was going to be a really good team and it's always fun when you play your best and play against a great team."
MATCH 1: OLE MISS 3, SAMFORD 0
Stroup led the way with 13 kills on a .357 hitting efficiency. Sophomore middle Bayleigh Scott recorded a career-best, hitting at an .833 clip adding two solo rejections, while classmate Leah Mulkey added six kills.
The Rebels started off impressive, taking the first six points of the contest and then taking a 12-2 lead in the opening stanza, thanks in large part to four kills courtesy of Stroup.
The Bulldogs battled, picking up 12 of the next 15 points before the Rebels responded with six consecutive points, including an ace from junior DS Nicole Purcell, that switched the momentum back in favor of Ole Miss, who went on to take the set 25-18.
The Rebels used two separate 5-0 rallies to build a lead as high as 11 before going on to secure victory at 25-15.
The final contest began as a much tighter affair, with Samford staying within four points of the Rebels until the final eight points. Ole Miss secured five of the last eight to take the set 25-20, securing their first sweep of the season.
MATCH 2: OLE MISS 3, OHIO STATE 2
In addition to Stroup's impressive evening, outsides Leah Mulkey and Caitlin Wernentin each had big performances with double-digit kills in 12 and 11, respectively.
Freshman Aubrey Sultemeier was also productive, falling one block shy of her career high, picking up seven rejections and adding eight kills on a .417 clip.
The opening frame of the Rebels' nightcap was truly a back-and-forth affair with 14 ties and six lead changes as the two squads battled through four extra points before OIe Miss fell 29-27.
The Rebels bounced back in Set 2, putting on a late-frame rally with six straight points to take the set 25-17. Stroup turned in four consecutive kills before Scott sealed the deal with back-to-back aces.
Ole Miss trailed for most of the fourth set but found momentum late in the frame. Stroup again registered back-to-back kills to tie and then subsequently take the lead at 22-21. Four consecutive errors found the favor of the Buckeyes, who took the set 25-22.
Batting in the final frame, the Rebels used a 5-0 run to take a 10-6 lead before Ohio State kept things interesting, taking four straight before Stroup sealed the win with her career-matching kill.
UP NEXT
Ole Miss plays just one match in the second day of the Rebel Invitational, taking on undefeated Little Rock at 2:30 p.m.
Team Stats
SAM
OM
Kills
30
42
Errors
27
15
Attempts
118
94
Hitting %
.025
.287
Points
41.0
52.0
Assists
28
40
Aces
6
3
Blocks
5.0
7.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Players Mentioned
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