Oxford, MS, August 15, 2025
News Summary
The Ole Miss Volleyball team has reached new heights by qualifying for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2003, finishing the season with an impressive 18-12 record. Key players contributed to this milestone, including Shayla Meyer and Mokihana Tufono. Conversely, the Ole Miss Soccer team struggled this season, ending with a disappointing 5-13-1 record and no wins in SEC play. Major changes are on the horizon for both programs as they prepare for the upcoming season, focusing on improvement and building team culture.
Oxford, MS – Ole Miss Volleyball Reaches Historic Heights While Soccer Seeks Rebuilding After Disappointing Season
The Ole Miss Volleyball team celebrated a historic achievement in 2024, marking the most successful season in the program’s history. With an overall record of 18-12 and a conference record of 7-9 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2003, further solidifying their status in collegiate volleyball.
Among the season highlights, Ole Miss Volleyball secured its first-ever postseason win against ranked Florida State. The team launched the season with a promising start, achieving a remarkable 12-3 record in early conference matches. Key players contributed significantly to the team’s success, including Shayla Meyer, who led with 34 service aces, Mokihana Tufono, the team’s setter with an average of 10.38 assists per set, and Cammy Niesen, the libero with 537 digs throughout the season.
However, despite the triumphs, the volleyball team faced challenges, notably accumulating a total of 612 errors, with 312 classified as service errors. Head Coach Bre Henry underscored the necessity to reduce errors in order to achieve future success. The volleyball team’s goal for the upcoming season is to not only return to the NCAA tournament but to advance further than before.
With key losses, such as Nia Washington, who transferred to LSU and was named an AVCA All-American honorable mention, as well as Sasha Ratliff, the program’s all-time leader in career blocks, the team will need to rely on returning players Niesen, Meyer, and Tufono to mentor younger teammates. In addition, four significant transfers have been added to the roster: Aniya Lewis, a JUCO transfer with 353 career kills, Jordyn Towns, a 6-foot-6 middle blocker from Alabama, Vivianna Samaniego, a sophomore setter, and Gabi Placide, a junior outside hitter who earned Big Sky All-Conference honors.
The volleyball team is set to commence the 2025 season against Arkansas State at the Georgia Tech Invitational, with their first SEC match slated for September 26 against Arkansas.
Disappointment for Ole Miss Soccer
In contrast, the Ole Miss Soccer team had a challenging season under head coach Molly Rouse in 2024, finishing with a record of 5-13-1 and failing to win any SEC matches with a record of 0-9-1. The SEC is renowned for being one of the most competitive conferences in women’s college soccer.
The soccer team began the season with promising home shutout wins but grappled with offensive stagnation throughout the rest of the season. They managed to score only 19 goals, with six goals coming in the first two matches alone. The team’s overall performance was characterized by 213 total shots, of which only 85 were accurately on target, ranking them No. 270 nationally.
The defensive aspect of the game was also a concern, allowing an average of two goals per game, resulting in a total of 38 goals conceded. Ole Miss Soccer was notably penalized, receiving 25 yellow cards, making them the second-most penalized team in the SEC. Despite the struggles, Rouse perceived some positives in the commitment and culture-building among the team.
Rouse acknowledged that difficulties in her second season as head coach are common and emphasized the need for improvements in the upcoming 2025 season. Changes within the coaching staff included the hiring of former player Madisyn Pezzino as an assistant coach and Dane Obermeyer’s transition to the role of director of analytics for evaluating team performance. To bolster the squad, Rouse has brought in nine transfers to fill key positions, including Briana Rodriguez from Pittsburgh and Ryann Reynolds from Kansas State.
Following their struggles, Ole Miss Soccer aims for a stronger performance in the coming season, focusing on enhancing leadership and building team culture. After a canceled match, the soccer team is set to kick off the 2025 season against Memphis on August 17, although they faced an early setback in their first exhibition match, losing 1-0 against South Alabama.
Summary Chart
| Feature | Ole Miss Volleyball | Ole Miss Soccer |
|---|---|---|
| Season Record | 18-12 overall; 7-9 SEC | 5-13-1 overall; 0-9-1 SEC |
| Notable Achievements | First NCAA tournament appearance since 2003 | No SEC wins |
| Top Players | Nia Washington, Shayla Meyer, Mokihana Tufono, Cammy Niesen | Notable players not specified |
| Errors/Concerns | 612 errors (312 service errors) | 38 goals conceded; ranked No. 270 nationally in shots on target |
| Coaching Changes | Focus on reducing errors | Hired assistant coach Madisyn Pezzino, Dane Obermeyer – director of analytics |
| Next Season Opening Match | Vs. Arkansas State at Georgia Tech Invitational | Vs. Memphis |
FAQ
What was the Ole Miss Volleyball team’s record in the 2024 season?
The Ole Miss Volleyball team finished with an overall record of 18-12 and a conference record of 7-9 in the SEC.
Did Ole Miss Volleyball qualify for the NCAA tournament in 2024?
Yes, they qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2003.
What was the key achievement for Ole Miss Soccer in the 2024 season?
Ole Miss Soccer struggled, finishing with a record of 5-13-1 and not winning any SEC matches.
Who were some key players on the Ole Miss Volleyball team?
Key players included Nia Washington, Shayla Meyer, Mokihana Tufono, and Cammy Niesen.
What changes were made to the coaching staff for Ole Miss Soccer?
Madisyn Pezzino was hired as an assistant coach, and Dane Obermeyer transitioned to the role of director of analytics.
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Additional Resources
- Ole Miss Soccer Show Announcement
- Soccer Home Opener Cancelled
- Catch Up on Ole Miss Soccer and Volleyball
- Google Search: Ole Miss Soccer
- Wikipedia: Soccer in the United States
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