The Ole Miss volleyball program struggled to maintain momentum on Sunday afternoon, falling 3-1 to Arkansas at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center.
Despite several strong rallies, the Rebels could not overcome the Razorbacks to secure a victory in Oxford, Miss.
The loss moves the Rebels to an 8-16 overall record and 2-11 in Southeastern Conference play. Arkansas improved to 13-11 and 5-8 in the SEC following the win.
The match was defined by shifts in control. Arkansas took the first set 25-20 after opening with an 18-12 lead. Ole Miss fought back to win the second set 25-22, but Arkansas reclaimed the advantage in the third and fourth sets to close out the match 25-22 and 25-14.
Individual contributions from several Ole Miss players provided the foundation for their competitive sets. Jorda Crook led the Rebels with 13 kills, three blocks, and two service aces.
Shayla Meyer contributed a double-double, recording 12 kills and 11 digs while hitting .310. Vivianna Samaniego tallied 37 assists and 10 digs, while Rileigh Butler achieved a career-high 15 digs against the Razorbacks.
The Rebels improved their defense during the second set. Keirstyn Carlton, Crook, and Jaidyn Hartsfield all contributed to a blocking effort that limited Arkansas to a .057 hitting percentage during that frame.
| Set | Ole Miss Score | Arkansas Score |
|---|---|---|
| Set 1 | 20 | 25 |
| Set 2 | 25 | 22 |
| Set 3 | 22 | 25 |
The third set proved to be the turning point. After trailing 10-6, the Rebels rallied behind six kills from Crook and two swings from Hartsfield to tie the score at 20-20. However, Arkansas capitalized on Rebel errors to win the set 25-22.
The fourth set began with energy from the Rebels, as Crook added a service ace and Meyer recorded three kills. This allowed Ole Miss to stay competitive until a technical timeout, by which time Arkansas had established a 15-10 lead. The Razorbacks maintained that gap to finish the set 25-14.
CT. The game will be streamed via SEC Network Plus.
Support for the program continues through the ACE Club, which provides funds to help the volleyball program compete at a high level. Fans can also use the Rebel Rewards program, powered by Coca-Cola, via the Ole Miss Sports mobile app to earn points for prizes.
Can the Rebels find the consistency needed to compete against No. 13 Texas in their upcoming road trip?
