ROME & ATLANTA, Ga. – The Millsaps volleyball team (8-7, 2-3 SAA) traveled to Georgia to face No. 12 Berry and Oglethorpe over the weekend. The Majors gave it their all, but fell short in four sets on Saturday, but were able to regain their confidence as they defeated Oglethorpe in five sets on Sunday.

Match 1: No. 12 Berry 3, Millsaps 1

(16-25, 25-23, 22-25, 21-25)

Junior Anna Capezzera led the Majors with a double-double (13 kills, 10 digs) and senior Margaret Richardson totaled 23 digs. Junior Zoe Elder also posted a double-double (26 assists, 16 digs) and senior Brenna Macaluso garnered 10 kills and seven digs. Millsaps battled in the third and fourth sets, but nationally ranked Berry prevailed on Saturday.

The first set opened in a 4-4 draw, however the Vikings would later grab six consecutive kills to lead 10-4. Following a 4-0 Berry run, the Majors would utilize a service error, Macaluso kill and two attack errors to help cut the deficit down to six at 16-10.

Berry later returned with a 3-0 mini run to create a 23-14 gap. The Vikings would total two more kills to grab the first set, 25-16.

The second set was very competitive with 13 ties and four leads changes. Millsaps built an early 7-2 edge, but Berry would battle back to tie the set at 10-10. The teams would trade the lead until kills by Macaluso, Capezzera and sophomore Mallory Richardson gave the Majors a 23-21 advantage.

Berry would knot the set once more, but Macaluso and Capezzera would help tie the match with back-to-back kills and a resulting 25-23 set victory.

Set three was fierce again as both sides accumulated 12 ties and five lead exchanges. The Majors grew a 22-19 cushion, but the Vikings would accumulate four kills and force two errors to claim the third set, 25-22.

The Majors quickly responded with a 4-0 run in the fourth set. Millsaps would carry an 18-13 edge looking to extend the match, but Berry came alive with the ensuing seven points. The Majors would regain control with a service error, Capezzera kill and attack error, allowing for a narrow 21-20 margin.
 
Millsaps continued battling hard, but a final 5-0 run gave the Vikings the separation they needed to win the set and the match, 25-21.


Match 2: Millsaps 3, Oglethorpe 2

(32-30, 19-25, 21-25, 25-16, 16-14)

The Majors rebounded with a thrilling five-set victory at Oglethorpe on Sunday. A key difference in the match was Millsaps using a 15-4 advantage in blocks as it battled back from a 2-1, match deficit.
 
Capezzera and Macaluso both tallied double-doubles with 14 kills and 13 digs each. Sophomore Ally Baer (career-high 13 kills) and Mallory Richardson (10 kills) both surpassed double digits in kills.
 
Elder added another double-double with a career-high tying 48 assists as well as 11 digs. Margaret Richardson generated a career-high 29 digs.

Set one featured a remarkable 21 ties and nine lead changes with Millsaps prevailing, 32-30. The Majors would rally back for a 6-0 burst punctuated by a Capezzera kill to lead, 18-17.

Both teams continued trading points offensively and defensively. Oglethorpe held set point four times, while Millsaps was a point away four times as well. Trailing 30-29, a Macaluso kill, attack error and Capezzera kill would give the Majors a thrilling, 32-30 victory in set one.

In set two, Oglethorpe built an early 10-5 lead. The Majors would trim the deficit to two or three points during the set, but the Stormy Petrels held off Millsaps to secure the second set, 25-19.

The Majors and hosts would continue swinging back and forth as Oglethorpe led 19-17 in the third. A trio of Stormy Petrel errors would tie the match at 21-21. Oglethorpe tallied the final four points with a kill, pair of attack errors and service ace to take a 2-1, match lead at 25-21.
 
Set four saw the Majors regain control and go ahead, 10-5. Oglethorpe struggled adjusting to find points and Millsaps would grow a 22-13 cushion. The Majors forced a decisive fifth set with a 25-16 win.
 
In the fifth set the teams battled to a 7-7 tie. A Capezzera kill was answered by three Oglethorpe points, giving the hosts a 10-8 edge. Millsaps would respond to lead 13-11, but the Stormy Petrels later faced victory with a 14-13 advantage.
 
Millsaps would answer once more with a crucial 3-0 rally, including a Baer kill and back-to-back Oglethorpe attack errors. The Majors held tough to claim the fifth set at 16-14, earning an SAA triumph.
 
Millsaps will return to the Hangar Dome as they face off against Birmingham-Southern on Wednesday, beginning at 6 p.m. Live video and live stats will be available for viewers at gomajors.com.
 
 
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