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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Friday, August 28
Oxford, Miss.
6 PM
Ole Miss
vs
Southeastern Louisiana
Volleyball Opens Regular Season Hosting Ole Miss Volleyball Invitational
8/27/2026 | Volleyball
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss volleyball program is set to officially open the 2026 regular season, hosting Southeastern Louisiana, Northern Arizona and LMU for the Ole Miss Volleyball Invitational.
The Rebels (0-0, 0-0 SEC) open the season against Southeastern Louisiana (0-0, 0-0 SLC) on Friday at 6 p.m. CT. From there, the Rebels face Northern Arizona (0-0, 0-0 Big Sky) on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT and LMU (0-0, 0-0 WCC) on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT.
All matches featuring the Rebels will be streamed via SEC Network Plus. Neutral site matchups will not be streamed.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
The Rebels are set to face off with Southeastern Louisiana for the first time in 43 years, holding a 3-0 all-time record against the Lions. The lone meeting in Oxford saw the Rebels earn a 2-0 win.
Ole Miss and Northern Arizona are set to meet for the first time.
The Rebels will match up with LMU for just the third time in program history, with LMU holding a 2-0 all-time series lead. Shayla Meyer and Tessa Jones are the program's lone holdovers from the last meeting, which LMU won in Lincoln, Nebraska. Both Meyer and Jones did not play that 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 has registered 835 kills, 321 digs, 166.0 total blocks, and 49 aces over her career and adds a dynamic piece to the offensive attack.
NEXT GENERATION
Head coach Bre Henry and the Ole Miss volleyball program added five new freshmen to the program this season as the Rebels welcome Rileigh Butler, Jaidyn Hartsfield, Ryea Jackson, Coco Natarajan and Sophie Taylor to the team.
The group has earned several accolades in their careers. Natarajan and Jackson were both tabbed to the AVCA's Phenom Watch List, while Natarajan was named to AVCA All-American Watch List in 2025.
Four of the five additions to the class have come from the state of Texas, including three from the same volleyball club - MadFrog Volleyball Club. The Rebels have heavily scouted the Lone Star State, as Butler, Hartsfield, Jackson and Natarajan will join fellow Texans Cameron Bradley, Keirstyn Carlton, Nina Moorer and Carly Paugh in 2026.
Jackson will help anchor the middle of the court, while Hartsfield and Taylor join the fold as athletic pins. Butler will join Cameron Bradley and Bella Bonanno as liberos, while Natarajan will join Tenesyn Frye and Vivianna Samaniego in the setter room this season.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
When the Rebels found success in 2025, much was largely on the backs of sustained success from all hitters. The Rebels went 11-9 when Shayla Meyer delivered 10 or more kills (3-6 when not) and 5-1 when notching more than 15 kills (9-14 without). The same applied for Melia Johnson, as the Rebels went 6-4 when she recorded 10 or more kills (8-11 without).
Alongside new opposite hitter Jorda Crook, the importance of Meyer and Johnson to the overall offense remains in 2025.
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 year.
Additionally, that list does not include several quality opponents that the Rebels are slated to face throughout conference play, as well as clashes with power four sides Ohio State, Washington and Clemson and 20-win programs from last season in Southeastern Louisiana and Northern Arizona.
CLIMBING THE LADDER
Shayla Meyer enters her final collegiate season with eyes on the record books. Last season, Meyer moved into sole possession of ninth place in the rally scoring era in service aces with 73 in her career. Her 32 aces on the year 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 714 kills and 634 digs in her standout Rebel tenure.
SCOUTING THE FIELD
Following a strong opening campaign for head coach Lee McBride at the helm of the Southeastern Louisiana program, the Lions enter the 2026 season with renewed expectations. The Lions went 20-9, including 12-4 in conference play in 2025 and are seeking a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023. Leading scorer and conference player of the year Kyra McKelvey is back after tallying 368 kills last season, but will have a newer supporting cast around her, following the graduations of Alexis Logarbo and India Bennett.
Longtime head coach Ken Murphy has executed a brilliant turnaround at Northern Arizona, as the Lumberjacks come into the 2026 season after going 23-7 last year. Just three seasons ago, the Lumberjacks won five matches, but steadily built into a powerhouse. The core of that lineup returns in 2026. The dynamic Hanah Stoddard returns after registering 461 kills last season, while middles Gigi Greenlee (138.0 blocks) and Avery Gottschalk (95.0 blocks) are also back.
Following the departure of former head coach Trent Kersten to Oregon prior to the start of the year, the LMU Lions faced some roster reshuffling, resulting in a 7-20 campaign in 2025. However, second year head Kolby O'Donnell has the team quickly moving the in the right direction, scoring an early victory with a win over USC in an exhibition to open the 2026 season. The Lions return no one with over 150 kills, but added several impact transfers in the offseason to reshape the lineup. Former Iowa middle blocker Aleksandra Stojanovic, outside hitters Maria Tabacuks (Oregon) and Anya Santrac (Wake Forest) as well as libero Gianna Perez (California Baptist) provide the Lions with a new look and renewed optimism heading into the 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.
-UM-
Media Contacts:
Alex McKeon
(662) 816-6157
ammckeon@olemiss.edu
The Rebels (0-0, 0-0 SEC) open the season against Southeastern Louisiana (0-0, 0-0 SLC) on Friday at 6 p.m. CT. From there, the Rebels face Northern Arizona (0-0, 0-0 Big Sky) on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT and LMU (0-0, 0-0 WCC) on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT.
All matches featuring the Rebels will be streamed via SEC Network Plus. Neutral site matchups will not be streamed.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
- LMU vs. Northern Arizona – Friday, August 28 at 2 p.m. CT – Live Stats
- Ole Miss vs. Southeastern Louisiana – Friday, August 28 at 6 p.m. CT – Live Stats
- LMU vs. Southeastern Louisiana – Saturday, August 29 at 2 p.m. CT – Live Stats
- Ole Miss vs. Northern Arizona – Saturday, August 29 at 6 p.m. CT – Live Stats
- Southeastern Louisiana vs. Northern Arizona – Sunday, August 30 at 11 a.m. CT – Live Stats
- Ole Miss vs. LMU – Sunday, August 30 at 2 p.m. CT – Live Stats
- The Rebels open up the 2026 season by welcoming Southeastern Louisiana, Northern Arizona and LMU to town for the Ole Miss Volleyball Invitational.
- Head coach Bre Henry is 2-1 all-time in season openers, winning each of the last two.
- The Rebels are set for the first three of 14 home matches in 2026. That is the largest amount of home matches since 2018 (14). Henry is 20-18 all-time at home as head coach.
- Ole Miss welcomes several key transfers and new additions in 2026. Leading the way are former All-AAC opposite Jorda Crook (UAB), setter Tenesyn Frye (Houston) and All-Sun Belt middle Nina Moorer (Texas State).
- Five freshmen also join the program this season. Middle blocker Ryea Jackson leads the group, while hitters Jaidyn Hartsfield and Sophie Taylor will see early action. Setter Coco Natarajan and Rileigh Butler also enter the fray.
- Leading the way as returners are fifth years Shayla Meyer and Tessa Jones. Cameron Bradley returns to step into the shoes of all-time digs leader Cammy Niesen, while impact freshmen from 2025 in Keirstyn Carlton, Melia Johnson and Carly Paugh also return.
The Rebels are set to face off with Southeastern Louisiana for the first time in 43 years, holding a 3-0 all-time record against the Lions. The lone meeting in Oxford saw the Rebels earn a 2-0 win.
Ole Miss and Northern Arizona are set to meet for the first time.
The Rebels will match up with LMU for just the third time in program history, with LMU holding a 2-0 all-time series lead. Shayla Meyer and Tessa Jones are the program's lone holdovers from the last meeting, which LMU won in Lincoln, Nebraska. Both Meyer and Jones did not play that 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 has registered 835 kills, 321 digs, 166.0 total blocks, and 49 aces over her career and adds a dynamic piece to the offensive attack.
NEXT GENERATION
Head coach Bre Henry and the Ole Miss volleyball program added five new freshmen to the program this season as the Rebels welcome Rileigh Butler, Jaidyn Hartsfield, Ryea Jackson, Coco Natarajan and Sophie Taylor to the team.
The group has earned several accolades in their careers. Natarajan and Jackson were both tabbed to the AVCA's Phenom Watch List, while Natarajan was named to AVCA All-American Watch List in 2025.
Four of the five additions to the class have come from the state of Texas, including three from the same volleyball club - MadFrog Volleyball Club. The Rebels have heavily scouted the Lone Star State, as Butler, Hartsfield, Jackson and Natarajan will join fellow Texans Cameron Bradley, Keirstyn Carlton, Nina Moorer and Carly Paugh in 2026.
Jackson will help anchor the middle of the court, while Hartsfield and Taylor join the fold as athletic pins. Butler will join Cameron Bradley and Bella Bonanno as liberos, while Natarajan will join Tenesyn Frye and Vivianna Samaniego in the setter room this season.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
When the Rebels found success in 2025, much was largely on the backs of sustained success from all hitters. The Rebels went 11-9 when Shayla Meyer delivered 10 or more kills (3-6 when not) and 5-1 when notching more than 15 kills (9-14 without). The same applied for Melia Johnson, as the Rebels went 6-4 when she recorded 10 or more kills (8-11 without).
Alongside new opposite hitter Jorda Crook, the importance of Meyer and Johnson to the overall offense remains in 2025.
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 year.
Additionally, that list does not include several quality opponents that the Rebels are slated to face throughout conference play, as well as clashes with power four sides Ohio State, Washington and Clemson and 20-win programs from last season in Southeastern Louisiana and Northern Arizona.
CLIMBING THE LADDER
Shayla Meyer enters her final collegiate season with eyes on the record books. Last season, Meyer moved into sole possession of ninth place in the rally scoring era in service aces with 73 in her career. Her 32 aces on the year 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 714 kills and 634 digs in her standout Rebel tenure.
SCOUTING THE FIELD
Following a strong opening campaign for head coach Lee McBride at the helm of the Southeastern Louisiana program, the Lions enter the 2026 season with renewed expectations. The Lions went 20-9, including 12-4 in conference play in 2025 and are seeking a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023. Leading scorer and conference player of the year Kyra McKelvey is back after tallying 368 kills last season, but will have a newer supporting cast around her, following the graduations of Alexis Logarbo and India Bennett.
Longtime head coach Ken Murphy has executed a brilliant turnaround at Northern Arizona, as the Lumberjacks come into the 2026 season after going 23-7 last year. Just three seasons ago, the Lumberjacks won five matches, but steadily built into a powerhouse. The core of that lineup returns in 2026. The dynamic Hanah Stoddard returns after registering 461 kills last season, while middles Gigi Greenlee (138.0 blocks) and Avery Gottschalk (95.0 blocks) are also back.
Following the departure of former head coach Trent Kersten to Oregon prior to the start of the year, the LMU Lions faced some roster reshuffling, resulting in a 7-20 campaign in 2025. However, second year head Kolby O'Donnell has the team quickly moving the in the right direction, scoring an early victory with a win over USC in an exhibition to open the 2026 season. The Lions return no one with over 150 kills, but added several impact transfers in the offseason to reshape the lineup. Former Iowa middle blocker Aleksandra Stojanovic, outside hitters Maria Tabacuks (Oregon) and Anya Santrac (Wake Forest) as well as libero Gianna Perez (California Baptist) provide the Lions with a new look and renewed optimism heading into the 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.
-UM-
Media Contacts:
Alex McKeon
(662) 816-6157
ammckeon@olemiss.edu
Players Mentioned
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