The South Carolina volleyball team (10-14) defeated the Ole Miss Rebels (12-13) 3-0 in their final home match of the regular season at Carolina Volleyball Center on Wednesday night.
South Carolina won the first point of the first set after an Ole Miss attacking error. After an early exchange of points, the Gamecocks took a 5-3 lead with kills from freshman outside hitter Victoria Hill and junior middle Ava Leahy.
Despite a further exchange of points, Ole Miss claimed the lead, 11-8, after a 3-0 run, forcing South Carolina to call a timeout.
Ole Miss then led the Gamecocks 15-10. However, a kill from senior outside hitter Alayna Johnson, Ole Miss service errors and attack errors allowed the Gamecocks to tie with the Rebels 16-16.
South Carolina and Ole Miss traded points until the Gamecocks took a 20-19 lead after a service ace from Johnson, forcing Ole Miss to call a timeout.
A kill from senior middle Emily Beeker and an Ole Miss attacking error increased the Gamecock’s lead, 22-19.
South Carolina won the first set shortly after, 25-21, after kills from junior outside hitter Nia Hall and Leahy and a block from Hall and Leahy.
The Gamecocks won the first point of the second set off a kill from junior right side Laiya Ebo. Ole Miss was quick to come out with a 3-0 run, taking an early 3-2 lead. However, the Gamecocks were quick to take back the lead 4-2, after kills from Ebo and Hall.
An exchange of points followed, but South Carolina was forced to call a timeout after Ole Miss went on a 6-1 run to take the lead 10-6. However, a 5-2 Gamecock run brought the score 12-11.
South Carolina and Ole Miss exchanged points until the Rebels called a timeout, holding onto the lead, 18-17.
The Gamecocks and Rebels traded points once more until South Carolina broke away and took a 23-20 lead after three attacking errors committed by Ole Miss.
South Carolina won the second set only a few points later, 25-21, after a kill from Hall and a block from Leahy and Hall.
Hall earned the Gamecock’s first point in the third set with a kill. The Gamecocks went on a 3-0 to take a 4-2 lead after a kill from Ebo and Ole Miss attacking errors.
South Carolina was able to increase their lead, 6-3, after another Ole Miss attacking error and a kill from sophomore right side Elise Marchal. The Gamecocks further increased their lead, 9-4, after a 3-0 run, forcing the Rebels to call a timeout.
Despite a 3-0 run from Ole Miss, South Carolina held on to the lead and answered with a 4-0 run of their own. Kills from Johnson and Hall, an Ole Miss attacking error and a block from Beeker and Ebo gave the Gamecocks a 14-8 lead over the Rebels.
Two kills from Hall and yet another Ole Miss attacking error increased the Gamecock's lead, 17-10.
A 3-0 Gamecock run, with a kill from Hall, an Ole Miss attacking error and a service ace from junior defensive specialist Elizabeth McElveen, the Gamecocks led the Rebels 20-12.
South Carolina’s offensive momentum continued, with the Gamecocks eventually winning the third set 25-15 after a kill from Leahy, a block from Beeker, an Ole Miss attack error and two final kills from Johnson and Hall.
Dominant on both sides of the ball
Both South Carolina’s offense and defense shined across the court throughout the entirety of the match, according to head coach Sarah Rumely Noble.
South Carolina only had nine attacking errors as opposed to 31 attacking errors from Ole Miss, putting up a high hitting percentage.
“We were really organized tonight. Our setters did a great job, our ball control was great to put our offense in a good position," Rumely Noble said. "We made good decisions with what we did with the ball. To hit .290 offensively with our efficiency (is) huge for our team."
As for the defense, South Carolina recorded 11 digs as compared to only three digs from Ole Miss.
“We had 43 digs and 11 blocks, and we held them to .050, it's a great all around match for us,” Rumely Noble said.
Reflecting on the year
The match against Ole Miss marks the Gamecocks’ final home match of the 2025 season. South Carolina ends the regular season with a 7-7 home record.
While the Gamecocks’ season is not over yet, Rumely Noble said that it has been an amazing season for both herself and the team.
“It’s been a real joy," Rumely Noble said. "I can’t thank Gamecock nation enough for coming out and supporting, and I hope they are excited about what we’re building and what volleyball is gonna look like in the CVC for years to come."
Looking towards the SEC tournament
While the Gamecocks have one final regular season matchup against the No. 4 ranked Texas Longhorns on Nov. 16, the Gamecocks will also turn their attention towards the upcoming SEC volleyball tournament.
While four SEC teams are ranked within the AVCA Top 25, Rumely Noble said that something the team brings into the tournament is their fight.
"We continue to fight, and we play through every match until the last whistle is blown," Rumely Noble said. "There have been no matches where we've just given up or given in. There have been matches where we've struggled through and our execution hasn't been there, but our fight has been there. And so, I think that we can bring our fight into it, and if we can execute on the level that we know we're capable of, we can play with anybody."
The SEC volleyball tournament will take place at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia through Nov. 21 to Nov. 25.
"I'm excited to get there and get a battle, and I think there is gonna be a lot of energy around it," Rumely Noble said.
What's next?
The Gamecocks (10-14, 4-10 SEC) will take on the No. 4 Texas Longhorns (19-2, 11-2 SEC) in Austin, Texas on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on the SEC+ Network.