The 2025 season is shaping up to be a landmark year for the Ole Miss Rebels volleyball program, a team long regarded as an underdog in the competitive landscape of SEC volleyball. After years of steady growth, near misses, and gradual culture shifts, the Rebels are finally ready to celebrate what could be described as their most historic campaign yet — a “monstrous” season that has electrified the campus, the fan base, and the broader community of Oxford, Mississippi.
This turnaround did not happen overnight. Under head coach Kayla Banwarth’s determined leadership, Ole Miss has transformed from a team struggling to find its footing in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference to one that now expects to compete — and win — against some of the nation’s best programs. Banwarth, herself a former U.S. National Team libero and Olympian, brought with her a vision built on discipline, defensive excellence, and an unshakeable belief in her players’ potential.
That belief has translated into results. The 2024 season ended with the Rebels posting their best record in program history, securing a top-three SEC finish for the first time ever, and earning a coveted spot in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 — another first for Ole Miss volleyball. The team’s gritty five-set win over perennial powerhouse Nebraska in the second round served as the signature moment that confirmed what insiders already knew: Ole Miss volleyball had arrived.
Central to this breakout has been a core of players whose names are now etched into Rebel lore. Junior outside hitter Jordan McLemore, whose thunderous swings and fearless back-row defense made her the face of the team’s resurgence, was recently named SEC Player of the Year. Meanwhile, senior setter Talia Nguyen orchestrated the offense with an intelligence and calmness beyond her years, often drawing praise from Banwarth for her “coach-on-the-court” mentality.
But it’s not just the stars who have made this season historic. Banwarth and her staff have cultivated a deep, versatile roster that has made Ole Miss exceptionally hard to prepare for. From freshman phenom libero Ashley Riley to middle blocker Emma Carter, whose blocking prowess changed the outcome of tight matches, every player contributed in crucial moments. This depth allowed the Rebels to weather injuries and fatigue, outlasting opponents who underestimated just how relentless Ole Miss could be.
Perhaps even more impressive than the wins on the court is the shift off it. Volleyball has taken center stage in Oxford in a way that was unimaginable a decade ago. The Gillom Athletics Performance Center has been selling out matches, with the student section — known as “The Volley Rebs” — becoming one of the most raucous in the SEC. The atmosphere has drawn national attention, with ESPN broadcasting multiple matches live from Oxford, showcasing the energy and passion that have become synonymous with Ole Miss volleyball.
To celebrate this unprecedented success, the program is planning a season-long campaign of festivities in 2025. Alumni matches, fan appreciation nights, and special tributes to past trailblazers are already on the schedule. Banwarth has emphasized that while the program is firmly focused on the future, it’s important to honor the players and coaches who laid the foundation for this moment. Former Rebels standouts like Regina Thomas and Lexi Thompson will be invited back to share in the celebration, connecting the program’s history to its bright future.
Recruiting has also seen a dramatic boost. High school standouts who once overlooked Ole Miss are now taking official visits and committing early, excited by the chance to be part of a rising powerhouse. With the 2025 recruiting class already ranked in the top 15 nationally, Banwarth’s vision appears sustainable — a testament to the culture she and her staff have built.
What comes next for Ole Miss volleyball is the big question. The Rebels are no longer satisfied with simply making the NCAA Tournament; they are aiming for a Final Four appearance and, eventually, a national title. It’s an audacious goal, but one that seems less far-fetched with every passing season. If the 2024 campaign proved anything, it’s that the Rebels are no longer the SEC’s overlooked team — they are a force to be reckoned with.
As the 2025 season kicks off, the Rebels will do so with the wind at their backs, a packed gym, and a belief that history is not just something to celebrate, but something to build upon. For Ole Miss volleyball, the monstrous season of 2025 might just be the start of something even bigger — a new era where the Rebels stand among the sport’s elite, rewriting the story of what Ole Miss
volleyball can be.
