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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
UTSA
Rebels Set to Host Ole Miss Invitational
9/2/2021 | Volleyball
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OLE MISS INVITATIONAL September 3-4 Oxford, Miss. Gillom Center |
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| Ole Miss Notes (PDF) • Coastal Carolina Notes (PDF) • Northwestern State Notes • SEC Notes (PDF) • Tournament Central | ||||||||
| Friday, September 3 UTSA 12 p.m. |
Friday, September 3 Coastal Carolina 6:30 p.m. |
Saturday, September 4 Northwestern State 2 p.m. |
| Watch • Live Stats | Watch • Live Stats | Watch • Live Stats |
RALLY POINTS
- Ole Miss kicked off Kayla Banwarth's second season in a big way sweeping both of it's matches at the Troy Preseason Tournament, beginning the season 2-0 for the first time since 2016. This also marked the first time the Rebels have swept their first two matches since 2014.
- The Rebel defense picked up where it left off at the end of the 2020-21 season, recording 15 blocks against Troy and six against UAB. This continued the streak that the Rebs have recorded five or more blocks in five straight matches.
- With 15 blocks as a team in the season-opener, this marked the most blocks recorded in the first match of the year dating back to the 2000 season.
- At the net, Sasha Ratliff came in hot with seven blocks in the first set alone at Troy to rack up a total of 11.0 through the first two matches. The Atlanta native led the squad as a freshman last season averaging 1.02 blocks per set.
- Libero graduate transfer Sam Burgio began her Rebel career carrying an 18 match double-digit dig streak into the opening weekend. The Eden, New York, native led the Big 10 at Maryland last season averaging 4.63 digs per set.
- Former Big 12 Co-Setter of the Year Kylee McLaughlin joined the Rebels as a graduate transfer this off-season after spending two years at Oklahoma.
- Youth highlights the Rebel roster, as Banwarth added five freshmen to the squad. Outside hitter Julia Dyess highlights the freshmen as the Mississippi native earned Under Armour All American Honorable Mention accolades coming out of high school.
- OLE MISS vs. UTSA
- Last Meeting: in Houston 8/27/10 (UTSA 3, Ole Miss 2)
- All-Time Series: 0-3 (First Meeting, 2000)
- OLE MISS vs. COASTAL CAROLINA
- All-Time Series: 0-0 (First Meeting, 2021)
- OLE MISS vs. NORTHWESTERN STATE
- Last Meeting: in Oxford 9/7/17 (Ole Miss 3, NSU 0)
- Last Win: in Oxford 9/7/17 (Ole Miss 3, NSU 0)
- All-Time Series: 5-1 (First Meeting, 1976)
SCOUTING THE ROADRUNNERS
UTSA enters the weekend 0-2 after dropping its first matches to two ranked teams. The Roadrunners took No. 20 San Diego to four sets in Austin, before falling to No. 1 ranked Texas in three straight sets.
The Roadrunners entered the 2021 season coming off of a 7-11 campaign in 2020, finishing 5-7 in Conference USA action. UTSA returned their assist leader in Courtney Walters who racked up 704 and its kill leader in Hunter Coppola who totaled 173 in 2020.
ALL TIME VS. UTSA
UTSA has owned the series against Ole Miss in a matchup that dates back to 2000. The last time the two teams squared off against one another, UTSA prevailed in a five set battle 3-2.
SCOUTING THE CHANTICLEERS
The defending 2020 Sun Belt East Division Champions were picked to defend their title again in 2021after going undefeated at 16-0 in conference play last season.
At the Coastal Carolina Invitational last weekend, the Chanticleers split their two matches to start the season 1-1. CCU fell in five sets to Duke 2-3 on Friday, and swept Iowa in three straight sets Saturday.
SCOUTING THE DEMONS
NSU kicked off the 2021 season at the Tulane Invite last weekend going 1-2, picking up a 3-0 win against Alabama A&M.
The Demons return nine from last year's squad, including six starters. Picking up Preseason All-Southland Conference honors was junior libero Haley Hoang. Hoang tallied four-20 dig matches last season, averaing 5.93 digs per set.
ALL TIME VS. NORTHWESTERN STATE
Ole Miss has dominated against the Demons, in a series that dates back to 1976 by sweeping all five of the last matches 3-0.
BREAK OUT THE BROOMS
Not only did the Rebels open the season for the first time since 2016, it also marked the first time since 2014 that Ole Miss has swept its first two opening matches.
BRINGING THE BLOCK PARTY ON THE ROAD
In the season opener at Troy, the Rebel defense dominated the Trojans at the net out-blocking them 15-1. This marked the most blocks in a season opener dating back to the 2000 season.
NON-CONFERENCE PLAY CONTINUES
The Rebels return home this weekend to host the Ole Miss Invitational in the second of four preseason tournaments. Next weekend, Ole Miss will hit the road for three matches at Western Kentucky Sept. 10-11 and head to Indiana Sept. 16-17 for a final tune-up before SEC play.
READY FOR ROUND TWO
The Rebels continue into year two of the Kayla Banwarth era, after an rigorous 2020-21 season with eight matches against top-15 opponents from the AVCA Poll. This marked the most matches against ranked opponents in a single-season dating back to 2003.
NEW FACES TO THE BENCH
Three new faces joined the Rebel volleyball family this offseason with the addition of former George Mason middle blocker Brad Creamer as a volunteer assistant coach.
Another former Patriot made his way to Oxford as well, with five-time letterwinner outside hitter Sam Greenslade joining the staff as a graduate manager.
Rounding out the staff is coordinator of operations Kendra Charles. Charles joins the Rebels after spending five seasons as the director of volleyball operations at Northern Colorado.
MISSISSIPPI MADE
When freshman outside hitter Julia Dyess takes the court, she'll be the first Mississippi native to don a Rebel uniform since 2002. The Brandon native garnered Under Armour All-American Honorable Mention honors as a senior at Hartfield Academy.
CLIMBIN' ON UP
Senior middle blocker Aubrey Sultemeier continues to cement her legacy as a Rebel moving up the Ole Miss record book as one of the top middle blockers in program history.
The Fredericksburg, Texas, native is 28 total blocks away from cracking the top-five in the rally scoring era. She already holds the top spot in single-match block assists, recording nine on two separate occasions.
REBELS SLOTTED 11TH IN SEC PRESEASON POLL
After finishing in 12th last season, Ole Miss was tabbed to finish 11th overall in this year's SEC Preseason poll.
The defending national champions held the top spot, as Kentucky was picked as the favorite to repeat as the conference champions again, receiving a total of seven first place votes.
KEEPING IT 100-AT THE GILLOM CENTER
Following a year of limited capacity at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center, Ole Miss is ready to welcome fans back into the venue for 12 home matches.
Admission to any Ole Miss volleyball match is free of charge. Fans are required to wear a mask in accordance with university policies.
Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissVB,Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball, and on Instagram at @olemissvb. You can also follow head coach Kayla Banwarth on Twitter @KaylaBanwarth2
