University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Ole Miss
Volleyball Preview: Ole Miss
November 06, 2021 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Returning to Rocky Top after a midweek match at Florida, the 22nd-ranked Tennessee volleyball team welcomes Ole Miss to Thompson-Boling Arena Sunday for a 2 p.m. matinee.
For fans planning to attend, note that Tennessee's clear-bag policy will be in effect again this season.
Though not required for entry to Thompson-Boling Arena or movement throughout the seating bowl, facial coverings are encouraged for arena patrons. For a full outline of match-day arena policies, click HERE.
BROADCAST INFO
Sunday's match versus Ole Miss will air on ESPN2 and features Sam Gore and Jennifer Hoffman calling the action. Live stats are provided for fans unable to make it to the arena or watch on TV and can be found by visiting the volleyball schedule page on UTsports.com.
LAST TIME OUT
Tennessee faced its fifth-ranked opponent of the season Thursday night as it took on No. 23 Florida in Gainesville. UT won the first set but Florida was able to edge out the Lady Vols, winning in four sets.
IT'S BEEN A MINUTE
Sunday marks the first meeting between Tennessee and Ole Miss since Nov. 1, 2019. The Big Orange defeated the Rebels in five sets that night.
The teams were scheduled to play a pair of matches last season in Oxford, Mississippi, on Feb. 21 and 22, but had to cancel due to winter weather impacting travel across the Southeast.
BLOCKSVILLE
Tennessee leads the Southeastern Conference in blocks per set, averaging 2.88. The mark also ranks fourth-best in the nation.
Danielle Mahaffey and Ava Bell have been key contributors to UT's impressive blocking numbers as they average 1.40 and 1.09 blocks per set, respectively. Mahaffey's 1.40 blocks per set are second-highest in the SEC and 11th nationally.
RING THE BELL
In addition to her blocking abilities, Bell has also put up strong offensive numbers this season. The Austin, Texas, native leads Tennessee and the SEC in hitting percentage at .455. The senior has tallied 116 kills on 211 attempts through 68 sets in 2021.
Bell is on pace to shatter Tennessee's all-time single-season hitting percentage record of .416 currently held by Lady Vol great Beverly Robinson. Robinson set the mark in 1983.
WINDICATORS
Tennessee is 12-0 when it hits better than .250 this season. UT is also 15-0 in 2021 when it out-digs its opponent.
Under Eve Rackham Watt, UT is 48-3 when it hits .250 or better and the Lady Vols are 52-5 when they win the second set.
SCOUTING OLE MISS
2021 Record: 17-5 (6-5 SEC)
Series Record: Tennessee leads, 46-11
Last Meeting: Nov. 1, 2019 – A five-set win for the Lady Vols.
Key Player/Stat: Ole Miss enters Sunday's match on a four-match win streak, which includes a trio of sweeps. The Rebels swept Missouri twice in Columbia and swept South Carolina at home in their most recent outing. Ole Miss has been solid on the road in 2021, going 7-2.
Anna Bair leads the attack with 281 kills and averages 3.65 kills per set this season. Bair's kills per set mark ranks seventh in the SEC. Kylee McLaughlin runs the offense out of her setter position and is averaging 10.16 assists per set.
UP NEXT
Tennessee heads to Starkville, Mississippi, for a pair of matches against the Bulldogs on Nov. 13 and 14. Both matches are scheduled for 2 p.m. ET and can be seen on SECN+.
