.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
9-4, 3-1SEC
Florida
10-1, 3-0SEC
Rebels Drop First SEC Match At No. 3 Florida
9/26/2010 | Volleyball
Sept. 26, 2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Regina Thomas and Miranda Kitts led the way for the Rebels on Sunday, but it wasn't enough as Ole Miss (9-4, 3-1 SEC) suffered the first conference loss of the season at No. 3 Florida (10-1, 3-0 SEC) by a score of 3-0 (18-25, 19-25, 19-25).
Thomas put down eight kills and did not commit an attack error on the afternoon as she hit .571 to lead the Rebel offense. She also put down two digs. Kitts tallied five kills and hit .455 as she also did not commit an attack error while putting down three blocks of her own.
Whitney Craven added eight kills of her own to match Thomas for team-high in that category. Amanda Philpot and Morgan Springer both came up with eight digs to lead the Rebel back row defense.
"We came up against a very good Florida team at home," said Ole Miss head coach Joe Getzin. "We have to learn how to sustain our energy in all environments. Regina Thomas and Miranda Kitts continue to display leadership for our team."
The first set opened with the Rebels grabbing the first two points before Florida would even things at four and move out in front by a slim margin. A service error and an attack error on back-to-back plays pushed the lead out to three at 11-8 and sent Ole Miss into a timeout. The lead pushed out to five at 20-15 when the Rebels called their second timeout of the set. The Rebels couldn't close the gap however, as Florida took the first et 25-18.
Ole Miss fell behind early in the second set as the Gators took a 10-5 lead out of the gates before pushing the Rebels into a timeout down 13-7. The lead continued to grow in favor of the home team as Ole Miss took its second timeout down 18-10. The Rebels cut into the lead slightly, but couldn't overtake the Gators as Florida claimed the second set 25-19.
The Rebels battled with the Gators to open the third set, answering Florida score with scores of their own. With things tied at 13, the home team pulled away from the Rebels with a mini run that put Florida up 16-13. Ole Miss called its first timeout of the set down four at 20-16. The Rebels couldn't muster a final rally, however, as Florida claimed the match with a 25-19 win in the third set.
Ole Miss will return to action next weekend when the Rebels continue a four-match SEC road swing at No. 20 Tennessee and No. 24 Kentucky. Ole Miss faces the Lady Vols at 6 p.m. CDT on Friday, Oct. 1.
