Philpot’s double-double, Clair’s season-high 14 kills lead Ole Miss to 3-0 victory
OXFORD, Miss. – Another double-double from Ole Miss senior setter Amanda Philpot, and a season-high 14 kills from freshman middle blocker Nakeyta Clair led the Ole Miss volleyball team (10-10, 4-7 Southeastern Conference) to a 3-0 victory over South Carolina on Sunday at the Gillom Sports Center.
It was the second-straight double-double for Philpot and her ninth this season, as she recorded a team-high 31 assists and a career- and team-high 22 digs against the Gamecocks, breaking her previous career high of 20, set against Northwestern last season.
Clair capped off a fantastic weekend of play with 14 kills, three solo blocks and five block assists. Clair’s 14 kills come one match after registering a then-career-high 13 kills against Missouri on Friday night.
“I’m really proud of the team,” Ole Miss volleyball head coach Joe Getzin said. “I think they responded very well, and because of that you saw us play some of our best volleyball of the year.
“Nakeyta’s really been coming on. We’ve seen it in our gym and during practice, and it’s really good that the fans and TV and everybody else get to see what we see on a daily basis. It was a little coming out party for her.”
Ole Miss jumped out to a quick start in the first set, leading 7-1 to start, but the Gamecocks (15-8, 3-8 SEC) wouldn’t back down. The Rebels stretched the lead to as many as eight points on two separate occasions, including at 19-11, but a 7-1 run by South Carolina cut the Rebels’ lead to just two points at 20-18. Following a timeout, the Rebels regrouped and finished off the set on a 5-1 run to win the first set 25-19. Clair paced the Rebels with seven kills, while Philpot had eight assists and 10 digs.
The Rebels were on fire in the second set, hitting at a .593 clip and getting three or more kills from five different players. After exchanging points back and forth to open the set, the Rebels exploded to score 22 of the final 31 points and win the set 25-12.
Ole Miss finished off the match by winning a tight third set 25-21. Neither team held an advantage greater than two points in the third set until the Rebels scored the set and match’s final four points to win 25-21.
Sunday’s win comes after the Rebels’ 3-1 victory over Missouri on Friday night, and pushes the Rebels’ home record to 6-2 this season.
The Rebels will take the court again Sunday, Oct. 28 against Auburn at the Gillom Sports Center. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. CT.
For all Ole Miss volleyball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com. Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissVB and go to Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball.