.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Friday, September 18
Lawrence, Kan.
6 PM
Ole Miss
at
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Kansas
Volleyball to Match Up Against No. 22 Kansas, Grand Canyon
9/17/2026 | Volleyball
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Ole Miss volleyball program continues the road swing and wraps up non-conference play, competing in the Jayhawk Classic from Friday through Saturday at the Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena.
The Rebels (6-3, 0-0 SEC) open against the host No. 22 Kansas (5-3, 0-0 Big 12) on Friday at 6 p.m. CT, before facing off against Grand Canyon (5-4, 0-0 MWC) on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. Both matches will be streamed via ESPN Plus.
RALLY POINTS
The Rebels are set to resume an all-time series against Kansas that hasn't been played since 1980. Kansas leads 2-0 in the all-time ledger, taking both matches in 1980.
Ole Miss and Grand Canyon are set to face off for the first time in program history on Saturday.
LAST TIME OUT
The Ole Miss volleyball program dropped its first true road test of the season, falling, 3-1, at Memphis on Tuesday night. Jorda Crook was solid all-night tallying 18 kills, nine digs and five blocks, but the Rebels scuffled as a unit in the second and third sets to let Memphis pull away. Despite a massive fourth set rally, in which the Rebels saved seven match points, the Rebels were unable to generate the momentum needed to force a fifth set.
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. Bradley continues to lead the SEC in total digs at 198, while the Austin, Texas native also ranks sixth in the nation in digs per set with 5.21.
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 11 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 134 kills, while leading the team with 39.0 blocks and 13 service aces. Crook has registered 969 kills, 382 digs, 205.0 total blocks, and 62 aces over her career and adds a dynamic piece to the offensive attack.
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 early wins over Northern Arizona, Ohio State and Clemson.
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, as well as an upcoming match against Grand Canyon to end non-conference play.
CLIMBING THE LADDER
Shayla Meyer enters her final collegiate season with eyes on the record books. This season, Meyer moved into sole possession of eighth place in the rally scoring era in service aces and now has 80 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 841 kills and 692 digs in her standout Rebel tenure.
SCOUTING THE FIELD
The No. 22 Kansas Jayhawks are riding high, as winners of four in a row following a highly challenging start of the regular season. Head coach Matt Ulmer leads Kansas in his second season at the helm and has gotten off to a great start after arriving from Oregon. The Jayhawks are led by one of the top freshmen in the nation, as Taylor Stanley is the midst of a breakout season. The freshman leads the team with 133 kills and is hitting .340 so far. From there, the Jayhawks have several arms that can hurt opposing defenses, with Grace Nelson, Kenzie Dean, Reese Ptacek all averaging over two kills per set. Defensively, Stanley also plays a big role at 1.00 blocks per set, while Aisha Aiono leads the team at 1.23 blocks per set.
In year three under head coach Kendra Potts, Grand Canyon has high expectations entering Mountain West play, after 20- and 17-win seasons over the last two campaigns. The 5-4 Lopes have challenged themselves in the non-conference schedule and will wrap up the non-conference slate this weekend. Offensively, the Lopes are led by Tennessee transfer and fifth year Starr Williams, while Green Bay transfer Katie Schulz has been a close second. However, the Lopes are generally very balanced and not afraid to give the middles plenty of swings, including Aubrey Goodere, who is hitting .376 so far. While setting has been largely by committee and serving isn't a major strength, the Lopes have an active defense, averaging 13.41 digs per set. Senior Bella Anderson leads the group with 89 digs thus far.
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 (6-3, 0-0 SEC) open against the host No. 22 Kansas (5-3, 0-0 Big 12) on Friday at 6 p.m. CT, before facing off against Grand Canyon (5-4, 0-0 MWC) on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. Both matches will be streamed via ESPN Plus.
RALLY POINTS
- The Rebels are set to wrap up the non-conference slate this weekend, competing in the Jayhawk Classic against No. 22 Kansas and Grand Canyon.
- The Rebels are seeking the program's first ranked win since defeating No. 22 Florida State in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
- The Rebels have developed an early tendency to finish strong. Ole Miss is a combined 8-10 in all first and second sets, but 14-6 in sets three through five.
- Libero Cameron Bradley continues to lead the SEC in total digs with 198. Bradley has tallied no less than 15 digs in each of her first nine matches this season.
- Freshman Jaidyn Hartsfield has provided a huge spark off the bench this season, hitting .419 over the last four matches.
- Opposite hitter Jorda Crook is seeking a major milestone this weekend, standing just 31 kills away from 1,000 in her career.
- Sophomore Carly Paugh is off to a career start on the block, with 37 in just nine matches. Paugh, had 43.0 total in her freshman season last year.
The Rebels are set to resume an all-time series against Kansas that hasn't been played since 1980. Kansas leads 2-0 in the all-time ledger, taking both matches in 1980.
Ole Miss and Grand Canyon are set to face off for the first time in program history on Saturday.
LAST TIME OUT
The Ole Miss volleyball program dropped its first true road test of the season, falling, 3-1, at Memphis on Tuesday night. Jorda Crook was solid all-night tallying 18 kills, nine digs and five blocks, but the Rebels scuffled as a unit in the second and third sets to let Memphis pull away. Despite a massive fourth set rally, in which the Rebels saved seven match points, the Rebels were unable to generate the momentum needed to force a fifth set.
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. Bradley continues to lead the SEC in total digs at 198, while the Austin, Texas native also ranks sixth in the nation in digs per set with 5.21.
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 11 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 134 kills, while leading the team with 39.0 blocks and 13 service aces. Crook has registered 969 kills, 382 digs, 205.0 total blocks, and 62 aces over her career and adds a dynamic piece to the offensive attack.
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 early wins over Northern Arizona, Ohio State and Clemson.
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, as well as an upcoming match against Grand Canyon to end non-conference play.
CLIMBING THE LADDER
Shayla Meyer enters her final collegiate season with eyes on the record books. This season, Meyer moved into sole possession of eighth place in the rally scoring era in service aces and now has 80 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 841 kills and 692 digs in her standout Rebel tenure.
SCOUTING THE FIELD
The No. 22 Kansas Jayhawks are riding high, as winners of four in a row following a highly challenging start of the regular season. Head coach Matt Ulmer leads Kansas in his second season at the helm and has gotten off to a great start after arriving from Oregon. The Jayhawks are led by one of the top freshmen in the nation, as Taylor Stanley is the midst of a breakout season. The freshman leads the team with 133 kills and is hitting .340 so far. From there, the Jayhawks have several arms that can hurt opposing defenses, with Grace Nelson, Kenzie Dean, Reese Ptacek all averaging over two kills per set. Defensively, Stanley also plays a big role at 1.00 blocks per set, while Aisha Aiono leads the team at 1.23 blocks per set.
In year three under head coach Kendra Potts, Grand Canyon has high expectations entering Mountain West play, after 20- and 17-win seasons over the last two campaigns. The 5-4 Lopes have challenged themselves in the non-conference schedule and will wrap up the non-conference slate this weekend. Offensively, the Lopes are led by Tennessee transfer and fifth year Starr Williams, while Green Bay transfer Katie Schulz has been a close second. However, the Lopes are generally very balanced and not afraid to give the middles plenty of swings, including Aubrey Goodere, who is hitting .376 so far. While setting has been largely by committee and serving isn't a major strength, the Lopes have an active defense, averaging 13.41 digs per set. Senior Bella Anderson leads the group with 89 digs thus far.
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.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballTuesday, September 08
Tuesday, September 08
Sunday, September 06
Sunday, September 06