JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps volleyball team opened its first SAA weekend of action with a split inside the Hangar Dome. Millsaps played two, four-set matches falling to Hendrix on Saturday before responding with a four-set triumph on Sunday.

Match 1: Hendrix 3, Millsaps 1
(17-25, 17-25, 27-25, 21-25)

Hendrix started fast and kept the Majors at arm's length with a quick 2-0 start, but Millsaps fought back in the third before falling in a hard-fought fourth set.

Senior Alyssa Jolly tallied a double-double (10 kills, 14 digs) with two blocks. Classmate Hannah Mattke (20 digs) and junior Brenna Macaluso (12 digs) also surpassed 10 digs defensively. Sophomore setter Zoe Elder (18 sets) and Mary Tebbe (17 sets) posted nearly identical totals.

The first set was knotted up at 5-5, but the Warriors pulled ahead with an 8-0 burst. Hendrix's lead would grow to as large as 22-10, but kills by senior Bre Reed (nine kills) and sophomore Anna Capazzera would close the deficit to 22-13. Hendrix would hold on for a 25-17 opening set win.
 
Millsaps attempted to respond in set two with an early 3-1 advantage, but the Warriors pushed back with a pair of 5-0 flurries to build a 20-14 edge. The visitors would post a 4-0 run to put the second set out of reach, winning 25-17.

Down 5-0 in the third, the Majors recovered with the next six points which included three Jolly kills. Hendrix would build a cushion at 22-14, but Millsaps went on an extraordinary comeback scoring the next 10 points to take the lead. Sophomore Gabby Deas (eight kills) added three kills of her own during the tremendous run.

Hendrix would regain the lead at 25-24 and serve for match point, but an attack error, freshman Colby Mayeux kill and Deas ace would push the match to four sets.

In a match of extended runs, the Warriors would go on a 12-0 sprint early for a 13-3 advantage. Millsaps would provide one final push back with points to trail 23-20. However, Hendrix would claim two of the final three final points for the victory.


Match 2: Millsaps 3, Rhodes 1
(25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 25-19)
 
Millsaps returned serve on Sunday with an impressive four-set triumph over Rhodes College, claiming the first, second and fourth sets.

Macaluso posted a double-double of her own with 11 kills, 16 digs and three blocks. Mattke added 16 digs as well, while junior Margaret Richardson posted 15 digs.

Jolly added five blocks, Tebbe posted 24 assists and Reed had a terrific match with 11 kills and four blocks at the net.
 
Millsaps (5-6, 1-2 SAA) claimed an early 1-0 advantage during a highly-competitive opening set, which featured 16 ties and seven lead changes.

As the teams traded points back-and-forth, the Majors used a crucial 4-0 swing to go ahead 21-18 punctuated by a Macaluso kill. Millsaps would score four of the next six points to earn a set one triumph.
 
Rhodes (6-4, 0-2 SAA) would answer with a 6-3 lead to begin the second set. Millsaps would eventually tie the match at 13-13, but a pair of Rhodes 3-0 rallies gave the visitors the edge they needed to tie the match at 1-1.

Trailing 21-19 and 23-21 late in the third set, kills by freshman Mallory Richardson (nine kills), Macaluso and Reed allowed the Majors to tie it at 23-23. A Reed kill, Mattke ace and Lynx attack error gave Millsaps a 2-1 set advantage.

The fourth and ultimately final set saw the Majors race ahead for a 7-1 cushion. Rhodes would close to within four points at 17-13, but an attack error, Jolly kill and Mattke service ace gave Millsaps the breathing room it needed.

Both teams seemingly traded points, but Millsaps was well enough ahead and secured the final set at 25-19 and the match in four sets.

The Millsaps volleyball team now travels on the road to face Berry College on Saturday with an 11 a.m. start. Live video and stats will be available at gomajors.com.
 

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