The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
7-6,1-1SEC
Auburn
11-2,1-1SEC
Volleyball Falls To No. 24 Auburn 3-1
9/24/2023 | Volleyball
Rebels Drop Tough Battle on the Road
AUBURN, Ala. – Battling with the number 24 team in the nation, Ole Miss volleyball's comeback fell short as the Rebels dropped a tough 3-1 match on Sunday afternoon inside Neville Arena.
The Rebels (7-6, 1-1 SEC) went toe-to-toe with the Tigers (11-2, 1-1 SEC), nearly forcing a fifth set despite two-time All-SEC middle blocker Sasha Ratliff out for the match. Seniors Anna Bair and Payton Brgoch stepped up to lead the Rebels, finishing with 14 and 12 kills, respectively. The Ole Miss defense was stingy, holding the Tigers to a .199 hitting percentage in the match behind eight blocks and 79 digs, including 20 from libero Cammy Niesen, but it wasn't enough as the Rebels registered a .116 clip on offense themselves.
Ole Miss came out strong in the opening set. The Rebels held Auburn to a .000 hitting percentage, thanks to 10 errors. Tied early on at 13, Brgoch helped open up a three-point lead. Ole Miss hung on to a small advantage as the Tigers tried to claw their way back, getting within one point at 20-19, but back-to-back kills and a massive block from Dyess firmly put Ole Miss in the driver's seat as it won the first set 25-21.
Auburn responded in the second set, using a 3-0 run to open a five-point lead on the Rebels at 11-6. Out of a timeout, Ole Miss answered right back with a 3-0 run and continued to battle, climbing back within one at 13-14, but the Tigers held strong and rattled off a 5-1 run to remain in control. Auburn closed out the set with a 25-21 victory to even the match.
Tied at one set apiece, both teams looked for the edge in set three. Unfortunately for the Rebels, it was the Tigers who broke an early 6-6 score with a 4-0 run to gain separation. With the lead, Auburn seized momentum and doubled up the Rebels at 16-8. Brgoch snapped a 10-0 run late in the set, but it was a little too late as the Tigers secured the final two points they needed to win the set, 25-10.
Looking to force a fifth set with Auburn, Ole Miss jumped out to a 6-3 lead in the fourth. The Rebels looked to be in control as Brgoch and Bair helped Ole Miss build up an 18-15 lead. Auburn didn't go away easily, fighting back to take the lead at 20-19. Needing to side out, Tessa Jones buried a quick kill in the middle, and both teams began to trade points. The Tigers fought off two set points, and just when it looked like the Rebels had another opportunity at set point, an Auburn challenge revered the call on the floor to swing the momentum to the other side of the court and help the Tigers win the match after a 27-25 fourth set.
Ole Miss returns home for a three-match stretch. The Rebels are back in action against South Carolina on Friday, September 29 at 6 p.m. CT.
Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissVB, Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball, and on Instagram at @olemissvb.
