JACKSON, Miss – In the final contest of their five-match homestand, the Millsaps College volleyball team (8-9, 3-7 SAA) were defeated in straight sets by the Birmingham-Southern College Panthers (14-5, 9-1 SAA) by a score of 25-23, 25-22, 25-20.  Senior middle hitter Alyssa Jolly and sophomore outside hitter Brenna Macaluso combined for 14 kills and six blocks at the Hangar Dome on Wednesday.
 
Sophomore Margaret Richardson performed well in her first collegiate game as the setter in place of the injured Mary Tebbe. She accumulated a career high 19 assists. She also tacked on two kills and two blocks.
 
Junior libero Hannah Mattke posted 12 digs and two service aces.
 
Both teams appeared evenly matched with the score deadlocked at 17-17 in the first set. BSC would outscore Millsaps 7-3 from that point to gain the separation needed for a 25-23 win to open the match.
 
Midway through the second set, the score was tied 9-9. BSC would then race out ahead on the strength of a 8-1 run. The Majors would then come surging back into the game with a 10-4 run initiated with a kill by Richardson. The Panthers would be able to hold on to their lead for a 25-22 victory and claim a pivotal 2-0 lead in the match.
 
Racing out to a 9-3 advantage, the Majors blitzed the Panthers in the beginning of the third set. The Panthers would claw their way back into the game, evening the score at 11-11. Later in the set with the score tied 19-19, BSC would put the finishing touches on their comeback and complete the 3-0 match sweep with a 25-20 final in set three.
 
Millsaps will return to action at Centre at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 16. Live video and live stats will be provided at gomajors.com.
 
 
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps volleyball program, follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.