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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Friday, October 9
Knoxville, Tenn.
5:30 PM
Ole Miss
at
Tennessee
Volleyball Set for Clash at No. 10 Tennessee
10/8/2026 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Ole Miss volleyball program heads out on the road for a pair of top-10 matchups, opening at No. 10 Tennessee on Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT.
The Rebels (8-6, 2-1 SEC) will match up against the highest-ranked opponent yet this season, facing the Lady Vols (10-3, 1-2 SEC). The match will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
RALLY POINTS
While the Lady Vols hold a significant, 53-12 all-time lead in the series against the Rebels, the series has not been without fireworks over the last few years. The Rebels earned a signature win in what became a historic season during the 2024 campaign, defeating Tennessee 3-1, while in 2022, the two sides played a dynamic five-setter. During last season's matchup, Shayla Meyer tallied a team-high 10 kills on .304 hitting, while Melia Johnson came off the bench to record six kills on .333 hitting in just one set.
LAST TIME OUT
The Ole Miss volleyball program saw its undefeated start to the 2026 SEC campaign come to an end, falling 3-0 to Vanderbilt on Sunday. The Rebels struggled to gain momentum against the Commodores, despite a solid match from Cameron Bradley who recorded 17 digs over three sets. Melia Johnson tallied eight kills and 13 digs, while Jorda Crook recorded a team-high nine kills, but the Rebels could not hold off the SEC leaders in hitting percentage, who made just six errors in the match in total.
CAM CAN
Ole Miss libero Cameron Bradley had a season debut to remember, tallying an NCAA leading 78 digs over the first three matches of the season on her way to SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Bradley bested her previous career-high in digs in all three matches, headlined by a 30-dig performance in the finale against LMU.
Since that time, Bradley has gotten off to a sensational start to what has been a breakout campaign. Despite missing one match, Bradley ranks second the SEC in total digs at 255, while the Austin, Texas native also leads the SEC and ranks ninth in the nation in digs per set with 5.00.
Bradley is in her first season as the starting libero following the graduation of all-time digs leader Cammy Niesen and has seamlessly stepped into the rotation. Bradley has also shined at the service line with 14 service aces this season.
TIME TO CROOK
The Rebels made a big splash in the transfer portal entering this season, adding UAB opposite Jorda Crook to the program. A native of Ohatchee, Ala., Crook made her mark in three seasons as a Blazer, earning two All-AAC First Team honors and taking home five AAC Player of the Week awards, becoming the first UAB volleyball player to ever accomplish the feat.
Crook follows a growing path of impact transfers into the program. Head coach Bre Henry and her staff have developed 400-kill hitters in back-to-back seasons, with Crook entering the fold on the heels of 394 kills as a junior at UAB.
Crook is off to a huge start to her Ole Miss tenure, tallying a team-high 176 kills, while also leading the team with 49.0 blocks and 18 service aces.
Crook made personal history on Friday night, reaching 1,000 kills in her decorated career and doing so in just 86 matches.
THE ROAD AHEAD
In addition to an already played scrimmage against Arkansas State, who reached the postseason last year, the Rebels are set to face seven teams that made the 2025 NCAA Tournament this season.
So far, the Rebels have downed Central Arkansas, who reached the tournament last season, while earning key wins over Northern Arizona, Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama and most recently, Missouri.
Additionally, the list of teams does not include several quality opponents that the Rebels are slated to face throughout conference play that did not reach the NCAA Tournament.
CLIMBING THE LADDER
Shayla Meyer enters her final collegiate season with eyes on the record books. This season, Meyer moved into a tie for possession of sixth place in the rally scoring era in service aces and now has 84 in her career. Her 32 aces in 2025 marked Meyer's second straight season with 30 or more service aces.
A third-consecutive 30-ace season would be enough to allow Meyer to become just the second Rebel in the rally scoring era to tally 100 or more service aces and put pressure on becoming the all-time leader in the era.
Additionally, Meyer also has eyes on several longer-term milestones, including 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. Meyer currently sits at 883 kills and 726 digs in her standout Rebel tenure.
SCOUTING TENNESSEE
Under head coach Eve Rackham Watt, the Lady Vols are off to a strong start to the 2026 campaign, despite a challenging opening weekend of SEC play, facing off against two top-10 foes. The Lady Vols are also in the top-10 in the nation, due in large part to a win over Penn State and sweeps of both Indiana and Illinois early in the season.
Tennessee's offense is balanced, led by the sensational setter Caroline Kerr, who has 459 assists and nearly averages 11.00 digs per set. Kerr sets up the dynamic SMU transfer Kennedi Rogers, who averages 4.56 kills per set, as well as Coastal Carolina transfer Jalyn Stout, who is hitting .338 on 2.95 kills per set. Defensively, the Lady Vols are powered by the excellent middle blocker Chelsea Sutton, who averages 1.39 blocks per set. Libero Raegan Burns and Kerr also make the defense fearful, with each recording over 100 digs this season.
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.
The Rebels (8-6, 2-1 SEC) will match up against the highest-ranked opponent yet this season, facing the Lady Vols (10-3, 1-2 SEC). The match will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
RALLY POINTS
- Ole Miss is set for back-to-back clashes against top-10 opponents, opening at No. 10 Tennessee on Friday evening.
- The Rebels are seeking the program's first win in Knoxville since 2013.
- The Rebels have developed an early tendency to finish strong. Ole Miss is a combined 13-15 in all first and second sets, but 16-11 in sets three through five.
- Libero Cameron Bradley continues to lead the SEC in digs per set at 5.00. Despite an injury marring the Kansas and Grand Canyon matches, Bradley ranks ninth nationally in the metric.
- Ole Miss is a perfect 7-0 when recording at least seven service aces, compared to 1-6 across the other matches.
- The Rebels are 7-0 when Bella Bonanno records at least one service ace, compared to 1-6 when she records none.
- Ole Miss is averaging 2.00 service aces per set in SEC play through three matches, ranking second in the conference, only behind Georgia (2.08).
While the Lady Vols hold a significant, 53-12 all-time lead in the series against the Rebels, the series has not been without fireworks over the last few years. The Rebels earned a signature win in what became a historic season during the 2024 campaign, defeating Tennessee 3-1, while in 2022, the two sides played a dynamic five-setter. During last season's matchup, Shayla Meyer tallied a team-high 10 kills on .304 hitting, while Melia Johnson came off the bench to record six kills on .333 hitting in just one set.
LAST TIME OUT
The Ole Miss volleyball program saw its undefeated start to the 2026 SEC campaign come to an end, falling 3-0 to Vanderbilt on Sunday. The Rebels struggled to gain momentum against the Commodores, despite a solid match from Cameron Bradley who recorded 17 digs over three sets. Melia Johnson tallied eight kills and 13 digs, while Jorda Crook recorded a team-high nine kills, but the Rebels could not hold off the SEC leaders in hitting percentage, who made just six errors in the match in total.
CAM CAN
Ole Miss libero Cameron Bradley had a season debut to remember, tallying an NCAA leading 78 digs over the first three matches of the season on her way to SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Bradley bested her previous career-high in digs in all three matches, headlined by a 30-dig performance in the finale against LMU.
Since that time, Bradley has gotten off to a sensational start to what has been a breakout campaign. Despite missing one match, Bradley ranks second the SEC in total digs at 255, while the Austin, Texas native also leads the SEC and ranks ninth in the nation in digs per set with 5.00.
Bradley is in her first season as the starting libero following the graduation of all-time digs leader Cammy Niesen and has seamlessly stepped into the rotation. Bradley has also shined at the service line with 14 service aces this season.
TIME TO CROOK
The Rebels made a big splash in the transfer portal entering this season, adding UAB opposite Jorda Crook to the program. A native of Ohatchee, Ala., Crook made her mark in three seasons as a Blazer, earning two All-AAC First Team honors and taking home five AAC Player of the Week awards, becoming the first UAB volleyball player to ever accomplish the feat.
Crook follows a growing path of impact transfers into the program. Head coach Bre Henry and her staff have developed 400-kill hitters in back-to-back seasons, with Crook entering the fold on the heels of 394 kills as a junior at UAB.
Crook is off to a huge start to her Ole Miss tenure, tallying a team-high 176 kills, while also leading the team with 49.0 blocks and 18 service aces.
Crook made personal history on Friday night, reaching 1,000 kills in her decorated career and doing so in just 86 matches.
THE ROAD AHEAD
In addition to an already played scrimmage against Arkansas State, who reached the postseason last year, the Rebels are set to face seven teams that made the 2025 NCAA Tournament this season.
So far, the Rebels have downed Central Arkansas, who reached the tournament last season, while earning key wins over Northern Arizona, Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama and most recently, Missouri.
Additionally, the list of teams does not include several quality opponents that the Rebels are slated to face throughout conference play that did not reach the NCAA Tournament.
CLIMBING THE LADDER
Shayla Meyer enters her final collegiate season with eyes on the record books. This season, Meyer moved into a tie for possession of sixth place in the rally scoring era in service aces and now has 84 in her career. Her 32 aces in 2025 marked Meyer's second straight season with 30 or more service aces.
A third-consecutive 30-ace season would be enough to allow Meyer to become just the second Rebel in the rally scoring era to tally 100 or more service aces and put pressure on becoming the all-time leader in the era.
Additionally, Meyer also has eyes on several longer-term milestones, including 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. Meyer currently sits at 883 kills and 726 digs in her standout Rebel tenure.
SCOUTING TENNESSEE
Under head coach Eve Rackham Watt, the Lady Vols are off to a strong start to the 2026 campaign, despite a challenging opening weekend of SEC play, facing off against two top-10 foes. The Lady Vols are also in the top-10 in the nation, due in large part to a win over Penn State and sweeps of both Indiana and Illinois early in the season.
Tennessee's offense is balanced, led by the sensational setter Caroline Kerr, who has 459 assists and nearly averages 11.00 digs per set. Kerr sets up the dynamic SMU transfer Kennedi Rogers, who averages 4.56 kills per set, as well as Coastal Carolina transfer Jalyn Stout, who is hitting .338 on 2.95 kills per set. Defensively, the Lady Vols are powered by the excellent middle blocker Chelsea Sutton, who averages 1.39 blocks per set. Libero Raegan Burns and Kerr also make the defense fearful, with each recording over 100 digs this season.
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.
Players Mentioned
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