Ole Miss downs Georgia in straight sets
OXFORD, Miss. - In their third meeting this year, Ole Miss dominated Georgia 3-0 here Sunday at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center to advance to the semifinals of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship.
The Rebels now await the winner of the West Virginia/Syracuse match, which takes place Monday, to determine if they get to host again or travel.
Sophomore Emily Stroup led the way with a record-setting day. She tallied 15 kills on a .433 clip and became the single-season record holder with 438 kills.
Ole Miss took an early 13-9 lead in the first set, and Georgia called its first timeout. The Rebels led 18-13 late as the Bulldogs used their final timeout. Georgia got within three, 23-20, but then Stroup and Nayo Warnell had back-to-back kills to close out the set 25-21.
The Rebels hit .375 in set two and sided out at an impressive 91 percent to take it 25-11 and a 2-0 lead in the match.
Georgia picked it up a little in the beginning of the third set as the two teams traded points. The Rebels gained a 10-9 lead and never relinquished it, winning 25-19 to complete the shutout.
Quick Hits...
• Ole Miss improved 20-14 on the season.
• The Rebels have now won six of the last seven and two of three this year against Georgia.
• With their 20th win of the year, head coach Steven McRoberts has now led a team to 20 wins in 19 of his 21 seasons as a head coach.
• Sophomore Emily Stroup posted 15 kills on a .433 attack percentage to lead the Rebels.
• Stroup became the single-season kills record holder now with 438.
• The top five single-season kills marks now belong to Emily Stroup, Lexi Thompson and Kate Gibson.
• The Rebels hit .290, marking the third straight match for them to finish around .300.
• Sophomore setter Jordan Fate posted 21 assists and 6 digs.
• Freshman setter Lauren Bars tallied 3 kills on a .600 clip, 7 assists and 4 blocks.
Talking to Emily Stroup... "
We came out ready to play, and it was a great team win. We all played well together and I am glad we could finish it in three and take the series this year."
On the single-season kills record... "I am honored to have the record, and grateful to my setters, Jordan and Lauren for getting me the ball. I wouldn't have the kills without them. It's also really cool to be playing on the same team with Kate and Lexi (all three have the top five single-season marks in school history), and I am glad we get to play together another week.
Up next
The Rebels will face either West Virginia or Syracuse in the semifinals of the NIVC at time and date to be determined.