Texas A&M was routed in four sets (22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-20) to the Ole Miss Rebels as the Aggies dropped their fourth-straight match Sunday at the Gillom Sports Center.
Ole Miss (16-12, 7-8 SEC) outhit A&M (7-14, 4-10 SEC), .248 to .223 for the match and led in kills (61-56), assists (54-50) and digs (63-60). In addition to the 13-8 lead in blocks, A&M led in aces (4-3) and points (73-72).
An Ole Miss win gave the Rebels a complete season sweep over A&M.
A&M came out strong in the first set, never trailing and took the match 25-22 with help from senior outside hitter Kiara McGee who had 6 kills in the first set. McGee ended up 18 kills total, and also had 11 digs which led to second double-double of the year.
The Aggies also had help from sophomore outside hitter Hollann Hans ended the first set with a kill to secure the win, had four kills in the first set and ended up with 12 kills total.
In the second set, Ole Miss came back and surged throughout the set even after a 4-0 A&M run, keeping the score 18-14 to the Rebels.
Eventually, A&M found their way back in the set with momentum as they tied the set thanks to Hans who had back-to-back aces. Then the Rebels found a way to nix A&M as the Aggies made four service errors to give way as Ole Miss took the second set 25-21.
The Rebels began third the set with a 4-0 lead, until A&M fought their way back and tied it 17 a piece. The Aggies then seized an opportunity with an Rebel service error and with help from junior middle blocker Kaitlyn Blake and freshman middle blocker Morgan Davis, who had a block a piece, giving the Aggies a 19-17 lead.
Then Ole Miss went on a 5-1 run to snag the lead 22-20. Eventually with the help from Hans the set was evened at 22 with back to back kills. Then Ole Miss killed and took the frame by freshman outside hitter Emily Stroup taking advantage with the set winning kill to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
In the fourth and final set, it was back a back and forth dog fight with 11 lead changes and four ties. Eventually the Aggies found their way as they took their first lead 12-11 with help from Blake and Davis, who held it down with a block. After back and forth ties for both teams, A&M gained a 19-18 lead thanks to Blake who had the kill.
The rest of the set was all Rebels who took advantage of A&M errors and miscues and too hold 23-19. McGee tried to instill some hope that was left with one last kill to make it 23-20, but Stroup secured the match with a kill.
Following a road-stint, the Aggies have to more matches to complete their 2017 season. On Wednesday, A&M returns to the court and will play the SEC-leading No. 4 Florida Gators which will start at 5 p.m. at Reed Arena.