Ole Miss senior Ty Laporte dies in car accident

OXFORD - Ole Miss volleyball player and track and field athlete Ty Laporte died in a car accident near Holly Springs early Friday morning, Ole Miss announced on Friday. She was 23.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by Ty’s death,” Ole Miss athletic director Ross Bjork said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her teammates, coaches and our staff during this difficult time.

“Everyone in the Ole Miss family offers our deepest sympathy to everyone who was touched by Ty’s amazing and infectious spirit.”

Laporte finished her five-year career with the Rebels’ volleyball team last fall ranked third all-time in block assists at 280 and third all-time in total blocks at 334.

She helped the Rebels to consecutive 20-win seasons the past two years for the first time in nearly three decades and was named AVCA honorable mention all-region her senior season.

“Our volleyball family is so heartbroken today with this news,” volleyball coach Steven McRoberts said in a news release. “Ty’s smile would light up the room, and her passion was contagious. She was loved by all of her teammates and coaches.

“Ty will be greatly missed by not only the volleyball team but the whole Ole Miss community.”

She’s also participated in track and field since her freshman year. Laporte ranks ninth in school history in the outdoor high jump with a college-best mark of 5-feet-7.75-inches.

Contact Daniel Paulling at dpaulling@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @DanielPaulling on Twitter.