.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Tuesday, September 8
Oxford, Miss.
6 PM
Ole Miss
6-2,0-0SEC
3
vs
2
Clemson
5-2,0-0ACC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | 23 | 25 | 18 | 25 | 13 | 2 |
| Ole Miss | 25 | 21 | 25 | 18 | 15 | 3 |
Volleyball Completes Dramatic Fifth Set Comeback, Downs Clemson
9/8/2026 | Volleyball
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss volleyball program rallied from a late deficit in the fifth set to hang on and defeat Clemson, 3-2, on Tuesday night at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center.
Jorda Crook shined for the Rebels (6-2, 0-0 SEC) in the annual 'Showdown at the Net', tallying 18 kills on .341 hitting while adding a career-high eight blocks and three service aces. Melia Johnson also starred, tallying a season-high 16 kills on .263 hitting with seven digs, while Cameron Bradley added 25 digs.
Carly Paugh was also excellent, stifling the Tigers (5-2, 0-0 ACC) with a career-high 10 blocks, becoming the first Rebel to record 10 or more blocks in a match since Payton Brgoch on Sep. 14, 2024 against Florida Gulf Coast.
The Rebels opened the first set with momentum, particularly on the block, as Crook and Paugh caused chaos, combining for two blocks together, with Paugh adding a third all before the media timeout to build a 15-12 lead. Following the timeout, Ole Miss would try to extend their lead, but Clemson would counter to tie the set at 19-19. A kill by Johnson gave Ole Miss a 21-20 lead and Jaidyn Hartsfield came off the bench to serve, delivering a critical service ace to extend the lead, but Clemson rallied again to tie it at 23-23. However, a service error on Clemson's side, followed by a Vivianna Samaniego ace, ended the set in favor of the Rebels, 25-23.
Ole Miss appeared to be firmly in control, building a 12-6 lead in the second behind more sensational blocking and the red-hot arms of Johnson and Crook. However, the Tigers did not go away, surging with an 8-2 run to tie the match up at 14-14. The Rebels retook a 20-17 advantage, but the Tigers stunned the Rebels with an 8-1 run, stealing the set 25-21.
Much like the second set, the Rebels came out firing, only this time without relinquishing the lead. The Rebels made just one error in the set, exploding to hit .545 and built a quick 16-8 lead behind more big swings from Crook and Johnson. The Tigers fought to get back in the set, cutting the Rebel lead to five, but Crook delivered two more kills and Paugh and Shayla Meyer combined on another block to secure the set, 25-18.
While the Rebels started the fourth set well, the Tigers pushed back. The visitors tallied their best hitting percentage of the match, hitting .333, while four service errors by the Rebels hurt their hopes of a quick resolution to the match. Clemson's lead ballooned to 19-12 and while Crook remained hot, the Rebels could not get closer than five back, as Clemson took the fourth set 25-18.
Both sides traded early runs to open the fifth set, as Clemson led 3-1, before a 3-0 run by Ole Miss flipped the score. Clemson responded with a 4-0 run and after trading points, delivered a service ace to make it 10-6, forcing a Rebel timeout. Out of the timeout, the Rebels regrouped, as Crook would hammer a kill to start the rally. Clemson won the next point, but Crook scored again to get to Meyer's serve. Meyer started a brilliant run of serve, keeping the Tigers on their back feet, while Hartsfield came off the bench again and provided energy, sandwiching two kills around a Meyer ace, as the Rebels stormed back in front, 13-11. Clemson responded with two points, but an emphatic swing from Crook gave the Rebels match point. In the end, an attack error from Clemson proved to be the difference, as the Rebels completed the comeback with a 15-13 win.
The Rebels get a week-long break, before making the short trip north to face Memphis on Tuesday, Sep. 15. The match is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed via ESPN 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.
Jorda Crook shined for the Rebels (6-2, 0-0 SEC) in the annual 'Showdown at the Net', tallying 18 kills on .341 hitting while adding a career-high eight blocks and three service aces. Melia Johnson also starred, tallying a season-high 16 kills on .263 hitting with seven digs, while Cameron Bradley added 25 digs.
Carly Paugh was also excellent, stifling the Tigers (5-2, 0-0 ACC) with a career-high 10 blocks, becoming the first Rebel to record 10 or more blocks in a match since Payton Brgoch on Sep. 14, 2024 against Florida Gulf Coast.
The Rebels opened the first set with momentum, particularly on the block, as Crook and Paugh caused chaos, combining for two blocks together, with Paugh adding a third all before the media timeout to build a 15-12 lead. Following the timeout, Ole Miss would try to extend their lead, but Clemson would counter to tie the set at 19-19. A kill by Johnson gave Ole Miss a 21-20 lead and Jaidyn Hartsfield came off the bench to serve, delivering a critical service ace to extend the lead, but Clemson rallied again to tie it at 23-23. However, a service error on Clemson's side, followed by a Vivianna Samaniego ace, ended the set in favor of the Rebels, 25-23.
Ole Miss appeared to be firmly in control, building a 12-6 lead in the second behind more sensational blocking and the red-hot arms of Johnson and Crook. However, the Tigers did not go away, surging with an 8-2 run to tie the match up at 14-14. The Rebels retook a 20-17 advantage, but the Tigers stunned the Rebels with an 8-1 run, stealing the set 25-21.
Much like the second set, the Rebels came out firing, only this time without relinquishing the lead. The Rebels made just one error in the set, exploding to hit .545 and built a quick 16-8 lead behind more big swings from Crook and Johnson. The Tigers fought to get back in the set, cutting the Rebel lead to five, but Crook delivered two more kills and Paugh and Shayla Meyer combined on another block to secure the set, 25-18.
While the Rebels started the fourth set well, the Tigers pushed back. The visitors tallied their best hitting percentage of the match, hitting .333, while four service errors by the Rebels hurt their hopes of a quick resolution to the match. Clemson's lead ballooned to 19-12 and while Crook remained hot, the Rebels could not get closer than five back, as Clemson took the fourth set 25-18.
Both sides traded early runs to open the fifth set, as Clemson led 3-1, before a 3-0 run by Ole Miss flipped the score. Clemson responded with a 4-0 run and after trading points, delivered a service ace to make it 10-6, forcing a Rebel timeout. Out of the timeout, the Rebels regrouped, as Crook would hammer a kill to start the rally. Clemson won the next point, but Crook scored again to get to Meyer's serve. Meyer started a brilliant run of serve, keeping the Tigers on their back feet, while Hartsfield came off the bench again and provided energy, sandwiching two kills around a Meyer ace, as the Rebels stormed back in front, 13-11. Clemson responded with two points, but an emphatic swing from Crook gave the Rebels match point. In the end, an attack error from Clemson proved to be the difference, as the Rebels completed the comeback with a 15-13 win.
The Rebels get a week-long break, before making the short trip north to face Memphis on Tuesday, Sep. 15. The match is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed via ESPN 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.
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OPP
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballTeam Stats
CU
UM
Kills
55
57
Errors
24
15
Attempts
149
140
Hitting %
.208
.300
Points
67.0
76.5
Assists
49
54
Aces
9
7
Blocks
3
12.5
Game Leaders
Kills
18
Aces
3
Blocks
8
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
4
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Tuesday, September 08
Tuesday, September 08
Sunday, September 06
Sunday, September 06