News Summary
The Ole Miss Volleyball team started their tournament at the South Dakota State University Invitational with a mixed performance, losing to South Dakota in straight sets but recovering with a victory over Wyoming. Gabi Placide shone in both matches, highlighting her impressive skills with significant kills. The team now has a record of 3-2 as they prepare for the upcoming SEC play, aiming to further improve their performance in the season.
Brookings, S.D. – The Ole Miss Volleyball team faced a challenging opening day at the South Dakota State University Invitational on Friday, September 5, as they split their matches, losing to South Dakota and winning against Wyoming. This performance leaves the Lady Rebels with an overall record of 3-2 as they prepare to enter Southeastern Conference (SEC) play.
In their first match against South Dakota, Ole Miss was unable to secure a win, falling in straight sets 3-0. Junior Gabi Placide led the team with impressive stats, recording 12 kills and contributing three blocks. The match started promisingly for Ole Miss when they took an early lead of 5-4, thanks to Placide and fellow junior Tessa Jones. However, South Dakota quickly turned the tide with a powerful 5-0 run, ultimately clinching the first set 25-20.
The second set saw South Dakota establish a commanding 16-6 lead. Ole Miss attempted a late rally but ultimately lost the set 25-18. The final set began with Ole Miss taking a 5-2 advantage, but South Dakota quickly countered with a 7-1 run to secure victory, concluding the match with a 25-20 set win. Following this loss, Ole Miss’s record was now 2-2.
In their second match against Wyoming, the Lady Rebels turned their fortunes around, winning 3-1. Gabi Placide once again stood out, dominating the court with a remarkable 21 kills and a hitting percentage of .391. Freshman Melia Johnson also made significant contributions, achieving a career-high of 17 kills along with a .452 hitting percentage. Setter Mokihana Tufono delivered an impressive performance as well, recording a double-double with 50 assists and 11 digs.
Defensively, senior libero Cammy Niesen made significant contributions with 15 digs, and freshman Cameron Bradley added 12 digs. The match against Wyoming began in a fiercely competitive atmosphere, with Ole Miss losing the first set 25-21 after a late surge from the Cowgirls. However, the Lady Rebels fought back, winning the second set 25-16, driven by Keirstyn Carlton, who secured seven kills and three blocks.
Momentum shifted in Ole Miss’s favor as they won the third set 25-22, propelled by an 8-0 run largely led by outside hitter Shayla Meyer. The Lady Rebels showcased dominant play in the fourth set, sealing their victory with a decisive 25-12 win, where they hit an impressive .393 while limiting Wyoming to a -.067 hitting percentage.
As the Lady Rebels wrapped up the tournament with a record of 3-2, they will now shift their focus to upcoming SEC play, where they look to improve and excel further in the season.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- MaxPreps: Brookings Triumphs
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
- KELOLAND: SDSU Volleyball Sweeps Boise State
- Google Search: Volleyball matches results
- Brookings Register: Bobcats Swept by Brandon Valley
- Google Scholar: Volleyball performance analysis
- MaxPreps: Brookings Comes Up Short
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- Brookings Register: Volleyball Event for ALS Research
- Google News: South Dakota State University Volleyball
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
