Troy University Athletics
Troy University
0-1,0-0Sun Belt
Ole Miss
1-0,0-0SEC
Troy Drops Season Opener to Ole Miss
8/27/2021 9:45:00 PM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. - Troy dropped its 2021 home opener Friday night against Ole Miss 3-0 (23-25,10-25,22-25). The Trojans had their chances in a whirlwind of a first set but could not seal the deal and comeback.
Halston Hillier led the Trojans in kills with 12, while Cheyenne Hayes and Tori Hester had nine apiece. Amara Anderson led all players with 31 assists. Freshman Caroline Darracot made her first colligate appearance appearing in all three sets. The Rebels were led by Samantha Schnitta, who tallied 10 kills, and Sam Burgio, who had 10 digs.
"I think a little bit of first game excitement got to us," head coach Josh Lauer said. "I thought we came out pretty strong, but they are a good team, and that's why we schedule these matches to be in tough battles with tough teams, and a couple of mistakes late in those sets cost us."
First Set: The Trojans got off to a hot start, with Hayes and Hillier accounting for four of the first six points of the match. Hillier again stretched the Trojan's lead to their largest of the match of five, giving Troy a 12-7 lead. The Trojans would hold on to that lead to 23-21 but could not stop a late Rebel rally of four straight points,and after a lengthy review of set point, the Rebels took the set 25-23
Second Set: Troy was unable to respond in set two after a tough opening set loss. It was all Ole Miss early, and despite a big block by Caitlin Cooper to get the fans back into the match followed by two more Halston Hillier kills, the deficit was too large too overcome, giving Ole Miss a two-set lead.
Third Set: The Trojans did not show quit in the third set. In a set that saw 11 ties and six lead changes, it was a back-and-forth affair with the Trojans applying the pressure and causing Ole Miss to make mistakes. Cheyenne Hayes did all she could with a kill to put the Trojans up 21-20, but another Ole Miss rally sealed the deal and swept the match with a 25-22 third set.
Up Next: Troy will return to action Sunday at 2 p.m. at Trojan Arena when they face off against UAB.
