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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, September 5
Oxford, Miss.
6 PM
Ole Miss
vs
Southern Miss
Volleyball Hosts Southern Miss, Central Arkansas for Rebel Volleyball Classic
9/4/2026 | Volleyball
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss volleyball program is back at home following a brief trip to Oklahoma, hosting Southern Miss and Central Arkansas for the Rebel Volleyball Classic at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center.
Following a neutral site match between the Golden Eagles (3-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) and the Sugar Bears (0-3, 0-0 UAC) on Saturday at 12 p.m., the Rebels (3-2, 0-0 SEC) will face off against Southern Miss at 6 p.m. CT. Sunday will feature the Rebels and Sugar Bears in a 12 p.m. CT match. All matches involving Ole Miss will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
RALLY POINTS
After meeting in an exhibition in 2025, the Rebels are set to face off with Southern Miss in an official match for the first time since 2018. The Rebels are 25-3 all-time against the Golden Eagles, with the program's last loss in the series coming in a neutral site contest in 2005.
The Rebels are set to face off against Central Arkansas for just the third time in program history, holding a 2-0 all-time lead. The Rebels won the lone match in Oxford back in 2011, while winning a five-setter in Conway in 2019.
LAST TIME OUT
The Ole Miss volleyball program turned in a 1-1 performance at the 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge, earning a four-set win over Ohio State on Wednesday, before falling in a five-set heartbreaker to Washington in the finale. The Rebels got several standout defensive performances, with Cameron Bradley tallying two more 20-dig matches to add to her NCAA leading dig total, while Carly Paugh (six blocks vs. Ohio State), Nina Moorer (seven blocks vs. Washington) and Jorda Crook (six blocks vs. Washington) either matched, or in Moorer's case, set new career-highs. The Rebels nearly reverse swept the Huskies, before the rally attempt fell short in the 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. Additionally, Bradley notched a career-best five assists on two occasions and led the team with six service aces to help pace the Rebels in two key wins over Southeastern Louisiana and Northern Arizona.
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 continues to lead the NCAA in total digs at 122, while the Austin, Texas native also ranks third in the nation in digs per set with 5.55 and appears poised for a breakout campaign.
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.
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.
Additionally, that list does not include several quality opponents that the Rebels are slated to face throughout conference play, as well as the recent clashes with power four sides Ohio State, Washington and the upcoming match against Clemson, as well as the recent victories over two 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 and now has 76 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 794 kills and 663 digs in her standout Rebel tenure.
SCOUTING THE FIELD
The season has opened with a bang for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, who went 3-0 with wins over Southern, Jacksonville and Jacksonville State. Head coach Jenny Hazelwood led the Golden Eagles to a big bounce back season in 2025 with 17 wins and now has them dreaming even bigger. All-Sun Belt hitter Sadie McAda and fellow hitter Diana Wells lead the way as key returners, while setter Allie Hazelwood is off to a great start under her mother Jenny, averaging 10.27 assists per set through three matches. However, the Golden Eagles have just 18 blocks to their name so far this season and will face a stiff test this weekend.
After an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025, the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears are off to a sluggish, 0-3 start. Head coach John Newberry leads the rebuild, following the graduation and transfer of several key contributors from last season's 18-12 campaign. One key returner for the Sugar Bears is 6'4" middle blocker McKinzee Haas, who has seen the bulk of the action early this year with 28 kills on .313 hitting. Libero Cameron McDaniel steps into the role vacated by her graduating sister Alexis and leads the team with 33 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.
Following a neutral site match between the Golden Eagles (3-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) and the Sugar Bears (0-3, 0-0 UAC) on Saturday at 12 p.m., the Rebels (3-2, 0-0 SEC) will face off against Southern Miss at 6 p.m. CT. Sunday will feature the Rebels and Sugar Bears in a 12 p.m. CT match. All matches involving Ole Miss will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
RALLY POINTS
- The Rebels return home for the start of a three-match swing, beginning by welcoming Southern Miss and Central Arkansas for the Rebel Volleyball Classic.
- This home stretch is the final swing before four straight on the road, with the Rebels only returning to Gillom on Oct. 2.
- Libero Cameron Bradley enters the weekend as the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Week. Bradley continues to lead the nation in total digs with 122.
- The Rebels tallied 13 team blocks on Thursday, with career-highs from Nina Moorer (seven) and Jorda Crook (six). The Rebels only reached 13 or more blocks in a match once last season (at Texas Tech).
- The Rebels have developed an early tendency to finish strong. Ole Miss is a combined 3-7 in all first and second sets, but 9-3 in sets three through five.
- 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).
After meeting in an exhibition in 2025, the Rebels are set to face off with Southern Miss in an official match for the first time since 2018. The Rebels are 25-3 all-time against the Golden Eagles, with the program's last loss in the series coming in a neutral site contest in 2005.
The Rebels are set to face off against Central Arkansas for just the third time in program history, holding a 2-0 all-time lead. The Rebels won the lone match in Oxford back in 2011, while winning a five-setter in Conway in 2019.
LAST TIME OUT
The Ole Miss volleyball program turned in a 1-1 performance at the 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge, earning a four-set win over Ohio State on Wednesday, before falling in a five-set heartbreaker to Washington in the finale. The Rebels got several standout defensive performances, with Cameron Bradley tallying two more 20-dig matches to add to her NCAA leading dig total, while Carly Paugh (six blocks vs. Ohio State), Nina Moorer (seven blocks vs. Washington) and Jorda Crook (six blocks vs. Washington) either matched, or in Moorer's case, set new career-highs. The Rebels nearly reverse swept the Huskies, before the rally attempt fell short in the 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. Additionally, Bradley notched a career-best five assists on two occasions and led the team with six service aces to help pace the Rebels in two key wins over Southeastern Louisiana and Northern Arizona.
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 continues to lead the NCAA in total digs at 122, while the Austin, Texas native also ranks third in the nation in digs per set with 5.55 and appears poised for a breakout campaign.
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.
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.
Additionally, that list does not include several quality opponents that the Rebels are slated to face throughout conference play, as well as the recent clashes with power four sides Ohio State, Washington and the upcoming match against Clemson, as well as the recent victories over two 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 and now has 76 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 794 kills and 663 digs in her standout Rebel tenure.
SCOUTING THE FIELD
The season has opened with a bang for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, who went 3-0 with wins over Southern, Jacksonville and Jacksonville State. Head coach Jenny Hazelwood led the Golden Eagles to a big bounce back season in 2025 with 17 wins and now has them dreaming even bigger. All-Sun Belt hitter Sadie McAda and fellow hitter Diana Wells lead the way as key returners, while setter Allie Hazelwood is off to a great start under her mother Jenny, averaging 10.27 assists per set through three matches. However, the Golden Eagles have just 18 blocks to their name so far this season and will face a stiff test this weekend.
After an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025, the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears are off to a sluggish, 0-3 start. Head coach John Newberry leads the rebuild, following the graduation and transfer of several key contributors from last season's 18-12 campaign. One key returner for the Sugar Bears is 6'4" middle blocker McKinzee Haas, who has seen the bulk of the action early this year with 28 kills on .313 hitting. Libero Cameron McDaniel steps into the role vacated by her graduating sister Alexis and leads the team with 33 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.
Players Mentioned
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OPP
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MB
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