The University of Mississippi Athletics
Friday, September 12
Oxford, Miss.
6 PM
Ole Miss
4-3,0-0SEC
3
vs
0
Louisiana
6-2,0-0Sun Belt
1
2
3
F
Louisiana
20
22
19
0
Ole Miss
25
25
25
3
Balanced Offense Powers Volleyball to Sweep of Louisiana
9/12/2025 | Volleyball
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss volleyball program surged to a .391 hitting percentage, en route to a 3-0 victory over Louisiana on Friday night at the Gillom Athletic Performance Center.
Shayla Meyer led the Rebels (4-3, 0-0 SEC) with 10 kills and eight digs, while Melia Johnson hit a scorching .643 with nine kills. Carly Paugh added eight kills and five blocks on a .400 hitting percentage. As a unit, the Rebels recorded their highest hitting percentage in a match since Sep. 7, 2023 against Alcorn State. Cailin Demps led the Ragin' Cajuns (6-2, 0-0 Sun Belt) with nine kills.
After an even start, the Rebels started to click midway through the first set. Meyer continued her strong week, earning a kill and service ace in quick succession to help the Rebels build a 4-0 run and take a 17-13 lead. The Rebels quickly put away the Ragin' Cajuns later in the set, as Johnson tallied back-to-back-to-back emphatic kills. Ultimately, the Rebels won the opener, 25-20.
The Ragin' Cajuns opened the second set with more energy, taking a 5-1 lead. Gabi Placide helped the Rebels chip away, cutting the deficit slowly with three kills. Much like the first set, the Rebels rode the momentum from Meyer's serve with a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to one. Freshman Bella Bonanno would come in to make her collegiate debut and immediately shined, setting up a kill by Johnson before notching a service ace to take a 19-18 lead. The set would be tied 22-22, before a Placide kill started a 3-0 run to take the set, 25-22.
With momentum on their side, the Rebels took control in the third. The freshman trio of Johnson, Carly Paugh and Keirstyn Carlton tallied the first seven kills of the set and built a 13-8 lead. Placide tallied a kill to take a 20-14 lead and two Louisiana service errors put the Rebels on the brink. Despite a 3-0 run for the visitors, Placide polished off the win with a kill and a 25-19 victory.
The Rebels are back home on Tuesday, hosting Memphis for a 6 p.m. CT clash. The match will be televised on SEC Network Plus.
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.
Shayla Meyer led the Rebels (4-3, 0-0 SEC) with 10 kills and eight digs, while Melia Johnson hit a scorching .643 with nine kills. Carly Paugh added eight kills and five blocks on a .400 hitting percentage. As a unit, the Rebels recorded their highest hitting percentage in a match since Sep. 7, 2023 against Alcorn State. Cailin Demps led the Ragin' Cajuns (6-2, 0-0 Sun Belt) with nine kills.
After an even start, the Rebels started to click midway through the first set. Meyer continued her strong week, earning a kill and service ace in quick succession to help the Rebels build a 4-0 run and take a 17-13 lead. The Rebels quickly put away the Ragin' Cajuns later in the set, as Johnson tallied back-to-back-to-back emphatic kills. Ultimately, the Rebels won the opener, 25-20.
The Ragin' Cajuns opened the second set with more energy, taking a 5-1 lead. Gabi Placide helped the Rebels chip away, cutting the deficit slowly with three kills. Much like the first set, the Rebels rode the momentum from Meyer's serve with a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to one. Freshman Bella Bonanno would come in to make her collegiate debut and immediately shined, setting up a kill by Johnson before notching a service ace to take a 19-18 lead. The set would be tied 22-22, before a Placide kill started a 3-0 run to take the set, 25-22.
With momentum on their side, the Rebels took control in the third. The freshman trio of Johnson, Carly Paugh and Keirstyn Carlton tallied the first seven kills of the set and built a 13-8 lead. Placide tallied a kill to take a 20-14 lead and two Louisiana service errors put the Rebels on the brink. Despite a 3-0 run for the visitors, Placide polished off the win with a kill and a 25-19 victory.
The Rebels are back home on Tuesday, hosting Memphis for a 6 p.m. CT clash. The match will be televised on SEC Network Plus.
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
LA
UM
Kills
29
45
Errors
13
9
Attempts
91
92
Hitting %
.176
.391
Points
37.0
57.0
Assists
29
41
Aces
6
6
Blocks
2
6
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
10
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballHIGHLIGHTS: Volleyball vs. Louisiana (9/12/25)
Friday, September 12
The Season: Volleyball - Atlanta (2025)
Thursday, September 11
Melia Johnson vs Wyoming
Saturday, September 06
HIGHLIGHTS: VB vs Wyoming
Saturday, September 06