JACKSON, Miss. — The Millsaps volleyball team put up a strong fight against Southwestern University in a conference matchup but was bettered with set scores of 25-23, 25-20, and 25-21.on Friday. Millsaps faced No. 14 NPI ranked Trinity University in another conference match on Saturday to continue their home matchups but was defeated by the Tigers in three sets inside the Hangar Dome to close out the weekend
Match 1: Southwestern 3, Millsaps 0
(23-25, 20-25, 21-25)
Senior Mallory Richardson led the offensive effort for Millsaps with 10 kills and contributed defensively with one block assist. Junior Sandy Bourgeois showcased her defensive skills with 17 digs and added two assists to her performance.
Freshman Rachel Zamjahn stepped up against her conference opponents with a double-double of 26 assists while also recording 15 digs of the night .Senior Ally Baer contributed seven kills and was a key presence at the net with four block assists.
The first set began with Millsaps (15-15, 3-10 SAA) facing an early challenge as Southwestern (18-5, 10-2 SAA) jumped to a 4-0 lead, capitalizing on a series of attack errors. The Majors responded with a kill from senior Trista Naquin to get on the board, followed by an attack error from the opponent to reduce the deficit to 4-2. Baer's service ace contributed to narrowing the gap further, bringing the score to 4-3.
Millsaps managed to level the score at 8-8 after a series of attack errors from the Pirates and a kill by Richardson. The set remained closely contested, with both teams trading points. The Majors gained a brief lead at 14-13 with contributions from Baer and freshman Madelynn Sasser, but the score continued to fluctuate as both teams continued to attack each other amongst the court.
Towards the end of the set, Millsaps was tied 22-22 following a crucial kill by Richardson. However, Southwestern secured the next two points, including a block and a kill, to claim the set 25-23. The set closed with the Majors trailing by two points, setting up a competitive matchup.
In the second set, Millsaps faced a challenging stretch as Southwestern capitalized on a series of points to build an early lead on a 5-2 run. The Majors responded with a series of successful plays, highlighted by Richardson's kill and a block by Baer and Sasser, closing the gap to level the score at 7-7.
The Pirates regained control with a service ace and continued to press, extending their lead. Millsaps fought back with contributions from Naquin and freshman Lily Luneau, narrowing the margin in the closing moments. However, Southwestern managed to maintain their edge and sealed the set with a final score of 25-20.
Millsaps started the third set with a strong offensive showing, highlighted by a kill from Naquin. The team capitalized on attack errors by Southwestern, taking a brief lead at 4-2. Key contributions from Baer and Luneau helped maintain momentum, keeping the score tight.
in spite of Millsaps' efforts, Southwestern responded with a series of kills, shifting the scoreboard to a narrow 8-8 tie. Luneau's repeated success at the net reclaimed the lead momentarily following three kills, however the Pirates would expand their lead on a 9-1 run to top the Majors, 19-13.
Millsaps soon rallied late in the set on a 6-1 run, with a series of defensive stops and blocks by Zamjahn and Baer, closing the gap to 19-18 advantage. However, Southwestern managed to edge ahead, with a final kill concluding the set at 25-21 in favor on Friday.
Match 1: Trinity 3, Millsaps 0
(19-25, 13-25, 20-25)
Baer led the Majors with eight kills and three service aces, contributing significantly to the team's point total. Zamjahn facilitated the offensive play, recording 21 assists and adding a service ace along with eight digs. Richardson added eight kills and participated in a block, demonstrating effective offensive play Bourgeois stood out defensively with 12 digs and contributed four assists in the match.
The match began with both teams trading points, but Millsaps managed to tie the score at 2-2 with a service error by Trinity. Freshman Tatum Husby and Baer contributed early kills, keeping the Majors competitive. However, Trinity capitalized on a series of attack errors and successful plays to pull ahead, establishing a lead at 8-4.
Zamjahn and Richardson rekindled the Majors' momentum with late kills, and Baer delivered two service aces, narrowing the gap to 22-15. The Tigers late tempo pushed, the first set concluded with Trinity securing the set, 25-19.
Millsaps showed resilience in the second set as they battled back to tie the score at multiple points, including 8-8, following a kill by Luneau assisted by Zamjahn. Baer contributed significantly with multiple kills, narrowing Trinity's lead. However, Trinity managed to regain control with a series of service aces and kills, eventually pulling away. The set concluded with the Tigers securing a 25-13 victory.
Millsaps experienced a back-and-forth engagement in the third set against Trinity, with key contributions from Sasser and Zamjahn. Sasser's consistent kills helped the Majors keep pace early on, leveling the score at several junctures, including a kill at 11-11. Millsaps effort would include a service ace from Zamjahn narrowing the gap to 22-17,
Trinity managed to maintain a slight edge. A late rally by the Majors, featuring a kill from Naquin, bought the Majors within striking distance, but Trinity sealed the set at 25-20. The game concluded with the Tigers winning the final set.
Their next match will take place against the MUW at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4 inside the Hangar Dome in Jackson, Miss.Live video and live stats will be available 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.
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.
