ATLANTA – An evenly contested five-set struggle resulted in a defeat for the Millsaps women's volleyball team at Oglethorpe on Sunday. The host Stormy Petrels claimed the match 25-17, 21-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-13 at the Dorough Field House.
Senior middle hitter
Alyssa Jolly posted an impressive 17 kills, three blocks and 14 digs. Both sophomore outside hitter
Brenna Macaluso and junior right side hitter
Regan Cooper totaled 10 kills each.
Junior setter
Mary Tebbe did all she could by dishing out a career-high 48 assists.
Junior defensive specialist
Hannah Mattke posted a season-high 26 digs, while both she and Macaluso powered three service aces.
Oglethorpe (6-4, 1-2 SAA) came out fast with a 7-2 advantage to begin the match. They continued to keep Millsaps (5-4, 0-2 SAA) at arm's length the rest of the set, using a 4-0 run at the end of the frame to claim a 25-17 victory.
The second set saw the Majors catch their footing and tie up the match with a 25-21 decision, including eight of the last 11 points. A Cooper kill and Macaluso ace wrapped up the set.
Millsaps continued its momentum into the third set by claiming a 16-5 advantage. However, Oglethorpe began to turn things around as the Stormy Petrels would battle back and take a 23-22 lead. The Majors were able to claim the set, 25-23, though courtesy of two Oglethorpe errors and a final kill by junior right side hitter
Bre Reed.
The fourth set was a back-and-forth affair that saw two lead changes and eight ties. Falling behind 23-20, Millsaps called a timeout. A Jolly kill and Stormy Petrel attack error then cut the deficit to one point. However, Oglethorpe's Emma Williams and Millsaps freshman
Anna Capezerra would trade kills, allowing the hosts to tie the match up at 2-2 with a 25-23 winner.
The Majors would jump out to 3-0 and 5-1 leads in the fifth and final set. Oglethorpe would battle back again, tying the score at 5-5 and forcing another Millsaps timeout. The teams would continue to trade blows as neither team would lead by more than two points all the way up to 13-13. Unfortunately, a pair of Millsaps attack errors would close out the match at 15-13 in favor of Oglethorpe.
The Majors will next continue its SAA road swing with a match at Birmingham-Southern on Wednesday. The contest is set for a 6 p.m. start with live video and live stats available 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.