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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Sunday, September 27
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
2 PM
Ole Miss
at
Alabama
Volleyball Opens SEC Play at Alabama
9/26/2026 | Volleyball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Ole Miss volleyball program is set to open up SEC play on Sunday, traveling for a road match at Alabama on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT.
The Rebels (6-5, 0-0 SEC) open the conference slate against the Crimson Tide (8-2, 0-1 SEC), with the match slated to be televised on the SEC Network.
RALLY POINTS
While the Crimson Tide continue to hold an all-time series lead of 47-33, the tide has quickly turned in the Rebels favor in recent seasons. Ole Miss enters Sunday's matchup on a seven-match winning streak, taking last season's clash in a 3-2 thriller. The Rebels have not lost in Tuscaloosa since 2019 and in the last decade are 12-4 against the Crimson Tide. However, the all-time series is littered with numerous five-set matches, as both sides have been evenly matched. In 2025's matchup, Shayla Meyer tallied 17 kills and 10 digs to help the Rebels earn a reverse sweep.
LAST TIME OUT
The Ole Miss volleyball program surged to a first set win, but were unable to hang on, falling, 3-1, to Grand Canyon on Saturday, September 19 in the finale of the Jayhawk Classic in Lawrence, Kan. Shayla Meyer led the team with a double-double of 14 kills and 12 digs, while Ryea Jackson delivered a breakout performance, tallying 10 kills on a sizzling .750 hitting. The Rebels missed Cameron Bradley due to injury, but were picked up by Bella Bonanno, who stepped in and delivered a career-high 14 digs and six assists.
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 a match, Bradley ranks second in the SEC in total digs at 203, while the Austin, Texas native also leads the SEC and ranks eighth in the nation in digs per set with 4.95.
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 145 kills, while leading the team with 42.0 blocks and 14 service aces. Crook has registered 980 kills, 388 digs, 208.0 total blocks, and 63 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.
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 82 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 859 kills and 710 digs in her standout Rebel tenure.
SCOUTING ALABAMA
After improving the program's overall record each season under head coach Rashinda Reed, the Crimson Tide have increased expectations for the 2026 campaign, entering Sunday's matchup at 8-2. However, the Tide were unable to hold off LSU in its SEC opener, falling in a five-setter on Wednesday.
The Crimson Tide remain a strong serving team, powered by setter Hannah Parant, who has already tallied 24 service aces on the young season. However, the Tide have gotten strong production in other facets of the game. Laney Hennessee is the team's leading scorer, averaging 3.26 kills per set, while Kaleigh Palmer adds to the attack alongside her. The middles have also been impactful early, as Lily Gervase (.379 hitting) and Addison Engel (.505 hitting) have been very efficient to open the year. On the flip side, the defense has had struggles, only registering 1.64 blocks per set and 12.13 digs per set.
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 (6-5, 0-0 SEC) open the conference slate against the Crimson Tide (8-2, 0-1 SEC), with the match slated to be televised on the SEC Network.
RALLY POINTS
- Ole Miss is set to open SEC play on Sunday, making the short trip east to face Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
- The Rebels have won each of the last seven matches against the Crimson Tide and haven't lost in Tuscaloosa since 2019.
- The Rebels have developed an early tendency to finish strong. Ole Miss is a combined 9-13 in all first and second sets, but 14-9 in sets three through five.
- Libero Cameron Bradley continues to lead the SEC in digs per set at 4.95. Despite an injury marring last weekend, Bradley ranks eighth nationally in the metric.
- Ole Miss is a perfect 6-0 when recording at least seven service aces, compared to 0-5 across the other matches.
- Opposite hitter Jorda Crook is seeking a major milestone this weekend, standing just 20 kills away from 1,000 in her career.
- Sophomore Carly Paugh is off to a career start on the block, with 41.0 in just 11 matches. Paugh, had 43.0 total in her freshman season last year.
While the Crimson Tide continue to hold an all-time series lead of 47-33, the tide has quickly turned in the Rebels favor in recent seasons. Ole Miss enters Sunday's matchup on a seven-match winning streak, taking last season's clash in a 3-2 thriller. The Rebels have not lost in Tuscaloosa since 2019 and in the last decade are 12-4 against the Crimson Tide. However, the all-time series is littered with numerous five-set matches, as both sides have been evenly matched. In 2025's matchup, Shayla Meyer tallied 17 kills and 10 digs to help the Rebels earn a reverse sweep.
LAST TIME OUT
The Ole Miss volleyball program surged to a first set win, but were unable to hang on, falling, 3-1, to Grand Canyon on Saturday, September 19 in the finale of the Jayhawk Classic in Lawrence, Kan. Shayla Meyer led the team with a double-double of 14 kills and 12 digs, while Ryea Jackson delivered a breakout performance, tallying 10 kills on a sizzling .750 hitting. The Rebels missed Cameron Bradley due to injury, but were picked up by Bella Bonanno, who stepped in and delivered a career-high 14 digs and six assists.
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 a match, Bradley ranks second in the SEC in total digs at 203, while the Austin, Texas native also leads the SEC and ranks eighth in the nation in digs per set with 4.95.
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 145 kills, while leading the team with 42.0 blocks and 14 service aces. Crook has registered 980 kills, 388 digs, 208.0 total blocks, and 63 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.
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 82 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 859 kills and 710 digs in her standout Rebel tenure.
SCOUTING ALABAMA
After improving the program's overall record each season under head coach Rashinda Reed, the Crimson Tide have increased expectations for the 2026 campaign, entering Sunday's matchup at 8-2. However, the Tide were unable to hold off LSU in its SEC opener, falling in a five-setter on Wednesday.
The Crimson Tide remain a strong serving team, powered by setter Hannah Parant, who has already tallied 24 service aces on the young season. However, the Tide have gotten strong production in other facets of the game. Laney Hennessee is the team's leading scorer, averaging 3.26 kills per set, while Kaleigh Palmer adds to the attack alongside her. The middles have also been impactful early, as Lily Gervase (.379 hitting) and Addison Engel (.505 hitting) have been very efficient to open the year. On the flip side, the defense has had struggles, only registering 1.64 blocks per set and 12.13 digs per set.
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
L/DS
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
MB
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