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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Rice
Rebels Claim Rice Invitational With Win Over Owls
8/28/2010 | Volleyball
Aug. 28, 2010
HOUSTON, Texas - The Rebel volleyball team came out firing on all cylinders on day two of the Rice Invitational as Ole Miss (2-1) defeated host Rice (2-1) by a score of 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-21) Saturday night to close out the tournament and claim the championship.
With the win, the Rebels won both matches on the day after shutting out Texas Tech 3-0 in the first match on Saturday.
Allegra Wells led the Rebels with 11 kills on the evening, while Miranda Kitts put down nine kills, Regina Thomas notched eight kills and Kara Morgan put down seven kills. Thomas also hit .500 for the match, while Wells put down four blocks.
Thomas was named Tournament MVP, while Kitts and Wells joined her on the All-Tournament team.
The strong Saturday performance came on the heels of a season-opening loss to UT-San Antonio that head coach Joe Getzin credited to his team's solid response against the Red Raiders and Owls.
"I really think it helps keeps things in perspective and helped us finish strong today," Getzin said. "It was two tough matches that we kind of powered through. What a way to respond. Allegra is really maturing as a player and learning how to play more within herself.
"Our middles did a great job. If we pass well, they're hard to stop. Regina and Miranda had a great tournament. Morgan Springer did a great job of controlling the back the row.
The Rebels put together a balanced attack in the first set, getting at least three kills each from four different players as Ole Miss fell behind early but battled back. Ole Miss clawed back to tie the set at 13 and moved into the lead for good from there on the way to a 25-19 win in the first set.
The second set was all Rebels as Ole Miss stormed out of the gates to claim a 9-1 lead and never relinquished the advantage. The Owls would cut the lead to four, but the Rebels never let the home team get any closer and claimed the set 25-20 to take a two set lead.
Ole Miss fell behind to open the third set with the Owls moving out to an 8-3 lead. But the Rebels wouldn't give up and chipped away at the lead with a fury. Ole Miss finally claimed the lead with a pair of kills from Courtney Cunningham that put the Rebels on top 18-17. Ole Miss closed the match out from there, claiming the third set 25-21.
The Rebels will return to action next weekend at the Northwestern Challenge. Ole Miss will face Utah, Morehead State and Northwestern in that tournament beginning with the Wildcats at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3.
