SEWANEE, Tenn. — The Millsaps volleyball team was edged by Sewanee in a five-set thriller, 25-23, 20-25, 17-25, 26-24, 10-15 on Sunday at Juhan Gymnasium.

Millsaps (14-12, 3-8 SAA) claimed the opening set and pushed the match to the limit with a narrow fourth-set victory. However, Sewanee (12-10, 5-6 SAA) sealed the match with a decisive performance in the final set.

The Majors recorded 86 digs, showcasing a strong defensive effort, while the Tigers capitalized on their 72 kills to secure the win.

Freshman Lily Luneau delivered a strong performance with a season-high 14 kills on 30 attempts, achieving an attack percentage of .467.

Senior Ally Baer added 13 kills and contributed defensively with two block assists. Junior Sandy Bourgeois led the team in digs, recording 16 over five sets, while freshman Rachel Zamjahn was active in setting, tallying a double-double with 38 assists and 14 digs.

The opening set commenced with Millsaps establishing an early footing. The team capitalized on an attack error by their opponents to gain momentum. A service ace from sophomore Abigail Drury further reinforced Millsaps' position at 4-2.

As the set progressed, Millsaps maintained their lead, with freshman Tatum Husby contributing crucial points through effective kills, assisted by Zamjahn. The team reached a 11-6 edge, punctuated by a service ace from Zamjahn.

Despite a brief resurgence from Sewanee, Millsaps responded to take the lead at 19-17, and then regained control with a series of decisive plays, including key kills from Husby and Baer.

In the closing moments, Millsaps exhibited resilience by exploiting Sewanee's errors to widen the gap. Baer's pivotal kills for the Majors' 24th and 25th points, supported by Zamjahn, secured the first set for Millsaps at 25-23, setting a strong tone for the match.

Millsaps started the second set with strong contributions, aided by a service error from Sewanee to level the score early. A solid kill by senior Mallory Richardson and a subsequent kill by Husby gave Millsaps a brief lead at 4-3.

Freshman Laila Fredieu's presence on the court contributed to a 5-3 advantage after an attack error from the opponent. However, the Tigers responded and regained momentum with a series of successful plays, resulting in a 9-6 lead.

Despite Millsaps' efforts to close the gap, including a service ace from Zamjahn, Sewanee extended their lead to 14-8 with a combination of kills and service aces.

Millsaps fought back with key points from junior Amelia Bohl and Luneau, narrowing the deficit to 18-12. Millsaps continued to show resilience, with Baer and Luneau contributing points to bring the score to 20-17.

In the closing stretch, Millsaps capitalized on opponent errors and added points to keep the score within reach. However, Sewanee maintained their edge, closing the set at 25-20.

Millsaps began the third set with momentum, capitalizing on early errors by Sewanee to take a 2-0 lead. Baer and Richardson combined for a block to extend the advantage to 3-1.

The teams traded points, with Bohl and Zamjahn contributing key kills to keep Millsaps ahead at 6-4.

Despite the efforts, Sewanee responded with a run that included multiple kills,  turning the tide and pushing the score to 9-11. Millsaps struggled to regain control, facing a series of attack errors that allowed the home team to widen their lead to 15-10.

As the set progressed, Luneau and Bohl managed to secure several points for Millsaps, but the consistent offensive pressure from Sewanee,kept the home team in front.  The Tigers closed the set with a 25-17 victory.

In the fourth set, Millsaps opened with a strategic kill by Richardson, quickly neutralizing an early service error. An ace by Bourgeois set the tone, and Baer followed with a kill, giving Millsaps a slim lead.

As the set progressed, a crucial block by Bohl and Baer halted Sewanee's momentum, resulting in an attack error and maintaining Millsaps' advantage.

After a series of back-and-forth plays, Millsaps began to extend their lead with consecutive kills from Baer and Husby.

The Majors capitalized on multiple attack errors by the opponent, pushing the score to 19-11 in their favor.

Despite a brief surge from Sewanee, including a service ace, Millsaps maintained composure with Luneau and Richardson contributing decisive kills.

As the set neared its conclusion, a tense exchange saw the score tied at 24-24. Luneau's timely kill edged Millsaps ahead, and an attack error by Sewanee concluded the set at 26-24, securing the victory.

Millsaps entered the decisive fifth set with momentum, capitalizing on a service error by Sewanee  to take an early lead.

A balanced attack saw Bohl and Baer each secure kills, while Zamjahn contributed with crucial assists to keep the score tight at 7-5 in favor of Millsaps.

Despite efforts from Millsaps, Sewanee responded with a series of effective plays including multiple kills shifting the momentum and edging ahead.

Millsaps managed to momentarily halt Swanee's advance with a service error by the opponent, but the Tigers maintained their composure.

The set concluded with Sewanee extending their lead, finishing 15-10. Millsaps demonstrated resilience throughout but ultimately fell short in the final points as Sewanee secured the set and match victory.

The Majors will next travel to the Rhodes College Classic, Friday and Saturday, opening with Rhodes at 2 p.m. inside the Mallory Gymnasium in Memphis, Tenn.. with live video and live stats provided at gomajors.com. 


To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps College volleyball program follow the Majors on X and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook and visit gomajors.com.   
 
Founded in Jackson, Mississippi in 1890, Millsaps College is a national liberal arts college dedicated to academic excellence, open inquiry and free expression, the exploration of faith to inform vocation and the innovative shaping of the social, economic and cultural progress of our region. Consistently ranked as one of the best values in higher education, Millsaps has been praised by Colleges That Change Lives, The Princeton Review, Forbes Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, The John Templeton Foundation, and The Fiske Guide to Colleges.