JACKSON, MS- The Millsaps Majors used top-notch defense to knock off the Birmingham Southern Panthers in four sets to improve to 9-0 overall and 1-0 in conference. 

In front of a rowdy crowd on Pack the HAC night, the Majors won 25-22, 25-23, 16-25, 25-19 to pick up their first conference win of the season and continue the best start in school history. Caroline McKey posted a huge double-double with 21 kills and 23 digs to lead the Majors. Ashley Zamjahn made her defensive presence felt with a match-high 28 digs while Lexus Andrews and Regan Riddle chipped in with nine kills each. 

Millsaps came out scorching hot, grabbing a 12-4 lead in the opening set. McKey led the charge with three kills and Mary Wilson added a service ace. The Majors withstood a BSC charge on two separate occasions. Lexus Andrews quieted the Panthers' second rally with a kill and McKey put the first set away with another strong attack. 

The second set was a true back-and-forth affair. There were a total of 11 ties as the teams split the first 16 points evenly. Millsaps did grab a brief three-point lead off a Lexus Andrews service run, but saw the Panthers answer with five straight points to claim a 20-17 lead. With the set tied at 23, Andrews unleashed an ace and McKey another attack and kill to put the Majors up two sets. 

The Panthers dominated the third set, staving off elimination with a 25-16 win. BSC used a 10-4 run midway through the set to gain control as Millsaps dropped its first set of the entire season.

The Majors would answer in set four, ripping off a 10-1 run to break open the set. Again it was McKey who sparked the run, this time behind her serve. Millsaps led 20-10, held off a furious BSC rally and Lexus Andrews put away the final point and the match. 

The Majors move to 9-0 on the seaon and 1-0 in conference with the victory. Millsaps will head to Georgia this weekend for a conference slate. First up are the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels, first serve on Saturday is set for 11am. 

Some notes from the game:

Mary Wilson and Taylor Zeigler split 45 assists to help pace the Majors' offense... The Millsaps' defense limited the Panthers to just 43 kills over the four sets...The Majors as a team had seven service aces.