Feb. 1, 2012

OXFORD, Miss. - A new month of competition beginning, results in a new school record in air rifle. The No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels responded from a heartbreaking one-point defeat to Air Force on Sunday, by shooting a school record in the air Wednesday to defeat GARC foe No. 11 Memphis 4647-4628 at the Patricia C. Lamar National Guard Readiness Center.

"We talked to them in practice and just told the team to keep doing what they were doing," Rebels head coach Valerie Boothe said. "We weren't asking anything more out of them. We felt like they were working hard and the effort was there but we just needed to dig deep and get this win today."

Behind monumental performances by three Rebel shooters, Ole Miss shot a 2365 in the air Wednesday, shattering their previous air rifle school record by 14 points.

Melissa Quartarone led the air rifle group producing a personal-best 594, while junior Kim Coffey fired a 593 and senior Keely Stankey a 592.

"I couldn't be more pleased," Boothe said of the trio's performance. "I don't deserve the credit. Those three are just phenomenal shooters and they just had it today. The shots were there and they did it. I give them absolutely all the credit."

The sophomore, Quartarone, broke her previous personal-best in air rifle by five points.

"I always go out there and shoot the best I can," Quartarone said. "I had never shot into the 590 range before. It was super exciting and definitely a great feeling."

Although Ole Miss responded from their loss Sunday, the Rebels still realize they have a lot of work to do if they want to achieve their preseason goal of making the NCAA Tournament.

"Well we didn't break the school smallbore record today, so there's always places to improve," Quartarone said.

Early on it appeared Memphis might leave Oxford handing the Rebels their second straight loss as the Tigers opened the match defeating Ole Miss in smallbore. However the Rebels rebounded in air rifle and gave their coach a performance and victory that will be remembered for a long time.

"They've earned a day off from practice in my book," Boothe said. "I really can't ask anymore from this group. They're just doing so well right now."

Ole Miss will take a break from competition the next two weekends, but return to action Feb. 18 to participate in the NCAA Qualifier held in Lexington, Ky.

AGATE

SMALLBORE

Evalyn Holman- 574

Melissa Quartarone- 572

Abbey Stanec- 572

Alivia Yeager- 570

Keely Stankey- 568

MaryAnn Banks- 568

Rena Goodwin- 566

Virginia Holman- 563

Kim Coffey- 560

Kelly Rosales- 555

AIR RIFLE

Melissa Quartarone- 594

Kim Coffey- 593

Keely Stankey- 592

Abbey Stanec- 586

Alivia Yeager- 583

Evalyn Holman- 581

Rena Goodwin- 580

MaryAnn Banks- 577

Kelly Rosales- 577

Virginia Holman- 566