JACKSON - The Millsaps Majors hosted their first of three tournaments on their home court today as they took on Faulkner University and the University of New Orleans. The Majors would split on day one as they fell to Faulkner in straight sets before turning around and routing the Pioneers in straight sets.
Head Coach Jaime Fisher saw many good things from her team in their first home games of the season, “It was a good first day, but we need to get better for tomorrow.”
In set one against the Eagles (6-0), the two teams traded points back and forth before the two teams were tied at 12 in set one. The Majors (2-1) rallied three straight points thanks to a kill and a huge block from sophomore Caroline May. The two teams continued to trade points as the Majors held on to a 19-16 lead. Faulkner came storming back with six straight points thanks to sharp defense and costly errors by the Majors. The run would be too much to overcome as the Eagles took set one 25-22.
Again, both teams battled back and forth in set two, but Faulkner used a late run, outscoring the Majors 7-3 to take the set 25-20.
In set three, Faulkner looked to end the game quickly as they raced out to a 4-0 lead before the Majors battled back to tie it at five thanks to kills from juniors Mackenzie Westphal and Raven Scott. It looked as though Millsaps was going to pull away with the set after they took the lead, 15-11, thanks to consecutive kills by senior Maggie Tumminello. However, the Eagles battled back to score seven straight points to take the 18-15 advantage. Millsaps tied things back up thanks to a kill from Tumminello and great defense from junior Sarah Zito and Scott. From then on, no team could earn a two point lead until the set ended. With the Majors down 24-23, they put together a tremendous rally which saw the ball hit played 20 times before junior Kasey Laird finished it off with a huge kill. Faulkner responded with two straight points to take the set and the game.
“For being the first match of the season against a fast offense and solid defense I thought we played well,” said Fisher. “We played them point for point, but didn't capitalize on the opportunities; we had too many unforced errors at critical points in the match which makes the difference between a win and a loss.”
The Majors came right back to take on the University of New Orleans (0-2). Millsaps got out to a 14-10 lead which was highlighted by three straight kills by Scott. From that point on, the Majors outscored their opponent 11-2 to take set one, 25-12.
As impressive as Millsaps was in the first set, they were even better in the second as they led UNO 23-9 before finished the Pioneers off 25-12 in set two.
The Pioneers fought back in the third set at took leads of 12-8 and 18-16 as they looked to extend the game another set. However, the Majors battled back for four straight points including two straight service aces by freshman Taylor Zeigler. Westphal finished things for good as she delivered the final kill of the match to take the set and the game, 25-23.
“With many new faces on the floor and returners playing new positions, we haven't found much rhythm, but I felt in this match we started to come together,” added Fisher. “Our setters ran the offense very well and put our hitters in positions to score, our defense made great plays which kept us putting pressure on them and I was able to get some freshmen on the court and saw some great things from our new players. “
Scott and Laird led the way in Game Two with 10 kills each and Westphal added eight. Scott also added on 22 assists and seven digs. Zeigler added 17 assists and two huge aces.
The Majors return to action tomorrow afternoon as they will take on a very impressive Spring Hill Badger team that swept away the competition on day one. They will start things at 12:30 p.m. in The Hangar Dome. The Majors will then return later that afternoon to take on their rivals, the Mississippi College Choctaws, at 4:30 p.m.
