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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Friday, September 26
Fayetteville, Ark.
7 PM
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Arkansas
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Volleyball Drops Nailbiter at Arkansas to Open SEC Play
9/26/2025 | Volleyball
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A late rally attempt fell short, as the Ole Miss volleyball program dropped a 3-2 nailbiter at Arkansas on Friday night at Barnhill Arena.
Gabi Placide led the Rebels (8-4, 0-1 SEC) with 16 kills, while Tessa Jones shined with a season-high 11 kills on .529 hitting. Freshman Keirstyn Carlton added a career-high 10 kills. Parker Duncan led the Razorbacks (5-7, 1-0 SEC) with 21 kills.
The Rebels quickly established the middles into the offense, as Jones exploded in the first set, tallying three quick kills to build a 10-9 lead. Both teams hit well over .300 to open the match as each side tried to feel out the opposing attackers. The Rebels built a 16-13 advantage, but the hosts swung back, going on an 8-2 run to put the set on ice, as Arkansas won 25-21.
As she's done throughout the season, freshman Carly Paugh helped spark the Rebels, registering two quick kills that propelled the visitors in front early in the second set. Setter Mokihana Tufono continued to excel, getting Carlton and Jones involved as the freshman Carlton picked up a pair of kills and Jones chipped in on the block to put Ole Miss ahead 17-11. From there, the Rebels leaned on the veterans, as Placide and Shayla Meyer got more involved with a pair of emphatic swings to take the second set 25-20.
While freshman Bella Bonanno got the Rebels going with a service ace to lead off the third set in her hometown of Fayetteville, the Rebels found themselves in an early 11-7 hole. The Rebels started to chip away, with Tufono getting involved on the offensive end with a kill. A kill and a strong run of serve from Meyer helped the Rebels push all the way back in the set, with a 5-0 run to take an 18-17 lead. Bonanno's third service ace, followed by two kills and a block from Jones would put the Rebels on the brink. However, a possible set clinching kill from Meyer at 24-23 was overruled by the official and the Razorbacks would ultimately take the set, 26-24.
The Rebels responded the adversity and regrouped in the fourth set, building an 11-9 advantage behind three kills and a block from Carlton. While a 3-0 Arkansas run put some pressure on the Rebels, they responded with a diverse offensive attack and 5-1 run to take an 18-14 lead. The Rebels rode the freshmen the rest of the way, as Carlton surged and Paugh sealed the set with a kill to win 25-19.
Ultimately, the Razorbacks found the final momentum swing, taking an early 6-2 lead and never looking back. Meyer tried to rally the team back with a kill and block, but the Rebels could get no closer than two behind, as Arkansas emerged with a 15-8 win and the match.
The Rebels continue SEC action on Sunday, as they face off against Oklahoma. The match is set for 12 p.m. CT, and will be televised on the SEC Network.
Fans can continue to show support for the Rebels by joining the ACE Club. Funds from the ACE Club are a major component in helping the Ole Miss volleyball program compete at the highest level. For more information and to donate, click here.
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Volleyball on X at @OleMissVB, on Instagram at @olemissvb and on Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball. See exclusive photo and video content from behind the scenes and connect in real time with everything Ole Miss.
Gabi Placide led the Rebels (8-4, 0-1 SEC) with 16 kills, while Tessa Jones shined with a season-high 11 kills on .529 hitting. Freshman Keirstyn Carlton added a career-high 10 kills. Parker Duncan led the Razorbacks (5-7, 1-0 SEC) with 21 kills.
The Rebels quickly established the middles into the offense, as Jones exploded in the first set, tallying three quick kills to build a 10-9 lead. Both teams hit well over .300 to open the match as each side tried to feel out the opposing attackers. The Rebels built a 16-13 advantage, but the hosts swung back, going on an 8-2 run to put the set on ice, as Arkansas won 25-21.
As she's done throughout the season, freshman Carly Paugh helped spark the Rebels, registering two quick kills that propelled the visitors in front early in the second set. Setter Mokihana Tufono continued to excel, getting Carlton and Jones involved as the freshman Carlton picked up a pair of kills and Jones chipped in on the block to put Ole Miss ahead 17-11. From there, the Rebels leaned on the veterans, as Placide and Shayla Meyer got more involved with a pair of emphatic swings to take the second set 25-20.
While freshman Bella Bonanno got the Rebels going with a service ace to lead off the third set in her hometown of Fayetteville, the Rebels found themselves in an early 11-7 hole. The Rebels started to chip away, with Tufono getting involved on the offensive end with a kill. A kill and a strong run of serve from Meyer helped the Rebels push all the way back in the set, with a 5-0 run to take an 18-17 lead. Bonanno's third service ace, followed by two kills and a block from Jones would put the Rebels on the brink. However, a possible set clinching kill from Meyer at 24-23 was overruled by the official and the Razorbacks would ultimately take the set, 26-24.
The Rebels responded the adversity and regrouped in the fourth set, building an 11-9 advantage behind three kills and a block from Carlton. While a 3-0 Arkansas run put some pressure on the Rebels, they responded with a diverse offensive attack and 5-1 run to take an 18-14 lead. The Rebels rode the freshmen the rest of the way, as Carlton surged and Paugh sealed the set with a kill to win 25-19.
Ultimately, the Razorbacks found the final momentum swing, taking an early 6-2 lead and never looking back. Meyer tried to rally the team back with a kill and block, but the Rebels could get no closer than two behind, as Arkansas emerged with a 15-8 win and the match.
The Rebels continue SEC action on Sunday, as they face off against Oklahoma. The match is set for 12 p.m. CT, and will be televised on the SEC Network.
Fans can continue to show support for the Rebels by joining the ACE Club. Funds from the ACE Club are a major component in helping the Ole Miss volleyball program compete at the highest level. For more information and to donate, click here.
Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Volleyball on X at @OleMissVB, on Instagram at @olemissvb and on Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball. See exclusive photo and video content from behind the scenes and connect in real time with everything Ole Miss.
Team Stats
UM
AR
Kills
58
59
Errors
23
22
Attempts
154
162
Hitting %
.227
.228
Points
75.0
70.0
Assists
56
57
Aces
8
6
Blocks
9
5
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
12
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
11
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
S
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