JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps volleyball team was victorious in a pair of matches on Senior Day, while hosting Rhodes inside the Hangar Dome on Saturday.
The Majors claimed the first, 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-23) and fought back in the second, 3-2 (25-19, 20-25, 17-25, 25-21, 15-10). Millsaps (3-5, 3-5 SAA) recognized seniors
Noelle Coats and
Emily Herring before the first match.
MATCH ONE: 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-23)
The Majors defeated the Lynx in straight sets in the first match of the doubleheader.
Gabby Deas led Millsaps offensively with nine kills. Libero
Hannah Mattke had an impressive match with 26 assists.
Alyssa Jolly was a terror at the net, adding six blocks.
With the score tied at 11-11 in the first set, the Majors took control with a 7-0 run that were punctuated with two straight block assists from Deas and Jolly. Ultimately, Millsaps would only allow the Lynx to score one more point for a 25-12 win in set one.
With a 14-12 advantage in the second, the Majors would find breathing room with a 5-0 flurry to push their lead to 19-12. Rhodes would fight back with an 8-2 run of their own to slice the Majors' lead down to 21-20.
After a Millsaps timeout, three errors by the Lynx and a kill from Deas put the finishing touches on a 25-22 set two win.
The Majors would trail 23-22 late in the third set, which featured six ties and four lead changes. A Deas kill,
Alexia Ardoin ace and Rhodes ball handling error would prove the difference and power Millsaps to victory.
GAME TWO: 3-2 (25-19, 20-25, 17-25, 25-21, 15-10)
The Majors overcame a 2-1 deficit to down the Lynx in five sets in the second match of the doubleheader.
Senior
Emily Herring and Jolly each accumulated double digit kills for the Majors with 13 and 10, respectively.
Tebbe outdid her performance in the second match, totaling a career-high 34 assists. Mattke added a career-best four aces on the day as well.
The Majors raced out to a 16-10 lead in the first set. This was enough to hold off Rhodes for a 25-19 set win.
The Lynx would not go away quietly, finding separation in the second to take the set, 25-20.
Up 18-15 in the third, Rhodes would use a 7-2 run to buoy them to a 2-1 advantage.
The Majors showed grit and determination in the fourth. With the set tied at 20-20, Millsaps would win five out of the last six volleys to force a fifth and decisive set.
Tied 4-4 in the last frame, two straight attack errors from the Lynx sparked a 4-0 run to give the Majors the edge they would need to upend the visitors. Back-to-back kills by Herring ended the match at 15-10 to send the fans home elated on Senior Day.
The Majors now travel to Oglethorpe for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 3, beginning at 10 a.m. CT. Live stats and video links will be available for fans on the volleyball schedule page 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.
