News Summary
The Ole Miss volleyball team will begin its 2024 season with an exhibition match against Southern Miss at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center. The match will showcase a blend of returning and new players, particularly in the outside hitter position, with key performances expected from returning players like Shayla Meyer and new transfers such as Gabi Placide and Aniya Lewis. The team is also excited about its promising freshmen talents. Following the exhibition, the Rebels will participate in the Georgia Tech Classic.
Oxford, MS – The Ole Miss volleyball team is poised to kick off its 2024 season with an exhibition match against Southern Miss on Saturday, August 23, at 2 p.m. CT, taking place at the Gillom Athletics Performance Center. The matchup will serve as the team’s first opportunity to showcase the blend of new and returning talent, particularly in the crucial outside hitter position, which boasts a large roster of players this season.
Headlining the outside hitter group is Shayla Meyer, a returning two-year letterwinner who had an impressive previous season. Meyer was a pivotal player in 2023, starting 26 matches and participating in a total of 113 sets. During that time, she achieved a career-high of 303 kills and led her team with 34 service aces. On defense, she registered 285 digs and accumulated 44.0 total blocks, earning 12 double-doubles throughout the season — the second most on the team. Notably, Meyer set a personal best with 21 kills in a match against FGCU and also achieved a significant benchmark of at least 20 kills in three matches and a minimum of 15 kills in five matches.
Joining Meyer is Gabi Placide, a transfer from Northern Colorado, who arrives after two highly successful seasons at her former institution. Placide has accolades that include being named the 2024 AVCA All-West Region Honorable Mention and receiving a selection on the 2024 Big Sky All-Conference First Team. She made her mark as the 2023 Big Sky Freshman of the Year, recording 243 kills and 59 blocks in her inaugural season. As a sophomore, Placide scored a remarkable 585.5 points, compiling 496 kills — both of which ranked her in the national top 30. Against SEC foes, her hitting percentage reached .237, demonstrating her ability to compete at a high level.
Also joining the team is Aniya Lewis, who transferred from Kankakee Community College. Lewis finished her prior season ranked second in the NJCAA Division II for kills per set, averaging 5.12. Over the course of 29 matches, she totaled 353 kills while maintaining a hitting percentage of .295 and contributing 45 blocks. At the high school level, she earned All-Conference honors and played a significant role in leading her team to a 27-9 record during her senior year.
The roster also includes several promising freshmen: Annabelle De Jager, Caroline Ellis, and Melia Johnson. De Jager, who captained her high school team, was recognized as an All-State and All-Conference First Team member and played a key role in leading her team to multiple regional titles. Ellis, named the 2024 Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year, boasts a career hitting percentage of .303 and more than 1,000 total kills. Johnson, who redshirted last season due to an injury, is eager to return to action, having recorded substantial stats during her high school career.
Ole Miss volleyball emphasizes community engagement and fan support through various initiatives such as the ACE Club and Rebel Rewards, designed to enhance the experience for fans attending events throughout the season. After the exhibition match with Southern Miss, the Rebels will officially commence their competitive season as they prepare for participation in the Georgia Tech Classic in Atlanta, Georgia.
As the team gears up for the season, fans and supporters alike are eager to witness the potential of this talented roster and their aspirations for a successful year ahead.
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Additional Resources
- Ole Miss Sports: Volleyball Position Preview – Outside Hitters
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
- Ole Miss Sports: Volleyball Position Preview – Middle Blockers
- Google Search: Ole Miss Volleyball
- Ole Miss Sports: Soccer Opens 2025 Season at Memphis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Soccer
- Ole Miss Sports: Volleyball Announces Themes and Promotional Schedule
- Google News: Ole Miss Athletics
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