DANVILLE, Ky. — The Millsaps volleyball team was challenged by Centre College and fell, 3-1 at the Alumni Gymnasium on Saturday.

The Majors captured the first set 25-21 but could not maintain momentum, dropping the next three sets 22-25, 18-25, 21-25.

Millsaps (14-11, 3-7 SAA) recorded eight service aces during the match, while Centre's more efficient .239 hitting percentage contributed to their victory.

Senior Ally Baer led the team with 12.5 points, recording nine kills on 22 attempts, two aces and adding two blocks. 

Freshman Rachel Zamjahn contributed significantly with 26 assists and eight digs, finishing with six points.

Junior Sandy Bourgeois was a defensive standout, collecting 16 digs over four sets.

Freshman Lily Luneau posted a .500 hitting percentage, registering nine kills on 16 attempts and scoring 10.5 points with two blocks.

The Majors started the first set strong with an early advantage, capitalizing on a Centre (11-9, 4-6 SAA) attack error.

Senior Mallory Richardson and Baer led the offensive charge early with multiple kills assisted by Zamjahn, helping Millsaps maintain a slim lead in the opening exchanges.

As the set progressed, Millsaps extended their lead with a combination of further kills from Richardson and Baer and benefited from Centre's service errors. A service ace from freshman Tatum Husby and a block by Baer solidified Millsaps' position late in the set, putting them in control at 22-19.

Millsaps closed the set by maintaining their advantage through strategic plays and capitalizing on three additional Centre errors. The set concluded with Millsaps leading 25-21.

Centre began the second set with a series of errors from Millsaps, leading to an early 5-1 deficit for the visitors.

Millsaps responded with a block by Richardson, narrowing the gap to 5-3.

Millsaps regained momentum with a kill from Zamjahn and an ace from Bourgeois, closing the score to 13-11.

The Majors continued to apply pressure with a strong service game, including a kill from Zamjahn, reducing the deficit to 17-16.

Despite Millsaps' efforts to level the score at 21-21 with a pair of kills from Luneau, Centre edged ahead. A kill and a few late points gave Centre a narrow advantage, closing the set with a 25-22 win.

Millsaps started the third set with a strong opening, establishing a 3-0 lead through an attack error from Centre and a service ace by senior Olivia Danos.

Momentum shifted as Centre fought back to tie the score at 6-6, capitalizing on attack errors from Millsaps.

The teams traded points, but Centre managed to gain an edge, moving ahead 11-9 approaching the midpoint of the set. Millsaps responded with kills from Husby and Luneau to keep the score close at 12-11.

Centre extended their lead to 20-13 after a 5-0 run. The Majors attempted a late rally with kills from Baer, Husby and Luneau, narrowing the gap to 21-17.

However, Centre closed the set with a series of successful plays, concluding the set 25-18 in their favor.

The fourth set saw Millsaps making a significant push once again, led by a series of strong plays.

Freshman Laila Fredieu initiated a crucial momentum shift with a service ace, followed by a kill from Zamjahn, advancing Millsaps to a 6-3 lead. Husby and Baer contributed defensively with a block, maintaining that early advantage.

Baer added back-to-back aces to make it 9-6. Centre responded with a series of successful attacks, narrowing the gap and pushing in front at 13-11. 

The teams continued to trade points late into the set with the Colonels clinging to a 22-19 advantage. A Luneau kill and Danos ace cut the deficit to one. However, the hosts utilized a kill, ace and attack error to claim the fourth set and the match, 25-21.

The Majors will next travel to face Sewanee on Sunday. The match is set to begin at noon in Sewanee, 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.