IRVING & SHERMAN, Texas — The Millsaps College volleyball faced a pair of challenging foes at the Crusader Classic hosted by the University of Dallas and two more matches at the Austin College Tournament over the weekend.


Match 1: Howard Payne 3, Millsaps 0
(18-25, 27-29, 16-25)

The Majors began with a challenging defeat to Howard Payne University, 25-18, 29-27, 25-16 on Friday, marking the season opener for both teams. The Yellow Jackets recorded 39 kills compared to Millsaps' 25 and notched 10 service aces against Millsaps' five.
 
Senior Ally Baer led Millsaps with eight kills and recorded 10.5 points, contributing three blocks and an ace. Freshman Rachel Zamjahn was a key playmaker with 20 assists and added 4 kills and 10 digs. Classmate Laila Fredieu supported defensively with eight digs and contributed two aces.
 
In the first set, Howard Payne took an early lead to establish a 5-1 advantage. Although Millsaps narrowed the gap to 8-6 with a kill from senior Trista Naquin, Howard Payne maintained their lead, finishing the set 25-18.

The second set was tightly contested, with Millsaps reaching set point at 24-23, but ultimately losing 29-27 after Howard Payne managed a comeback.

The third set saw Millsaps briefly tie the score at 4-4 before Howard Payne pulled away, winning 25-16.


Match 2: Millsaps 3, U-Dallas 0
(25-12, 25-16, 25-19)
 
Later in the day, Millsaps rebounded with a sweep over the University of Dallas, winning 25-12, 25-16, 25-19.

The Majors dominated the match, showcasing a strong serving performance with 11 service aces and a .207 hitting percentage, while limiting Dallas to a .077 hitting percentage with 17 attack errors. Millsaps recorded 65 digs, stifling Dallas' offensive efforts.
 
Baer again led the Majors with a strong performance, recording 10 kills on 24 attempts, hitting .333 with four service aces and totaling 15.0 points. Senior Olivia Danos was effective defensively with 12 digs and three aces. Zamjahn directed the offense with 22 assists and added eight digs.
 
Millsaps opened the first set with a 6-0 run, highlighted by contributions from Naquin, sophomore Lily Bumpers and classmate Zoë LaCaze. They maintained their lead throughout, concluding the set at 25-12.

The second set saw Millsaps establish dominance with a 5-0 run, eventually winning 25-16. In the third set, despite a late attempt from Dallas to close the gap, saw Millsaps hold on to secure the match with a score of 25-19.


Match 3: Concordia (Texas) 3, Millsaps 1
(13-25, 20-25, 25-22, 17-25)
 
The Majors then faced Concordia University Texas in a neutral-site match at Hughey Gymnasium in the Austin College Tournament on Saturday. Millsaps was bested in four sets, 25-13, 25-20, 22-25, 25-17.

Concordia's superior hitting efficiency of .210 compared to Millsaps' .021 played a crucial role in their victory. The Tornados recorded 49 kills compared to Millsaps' 37.

Zamjahn led Millsaps with 29 assists and added four kills. Baer recorded eight kills and four blocks, while freshman Atlee Gonzales contributed 16 digs defensively.

In the first set, both teams exchanged points early, but Concordia took control with a series of kills to win 25-13.

The second set saw Millsaps rally from a 3-0 deficit to take a brief lead at 7-4, but Concordia ultimately finished strong, winning 25-20.

Millsaps rebounded in the third set, winning 25-22 with key plays from Baer and LaCaze.

However, Concordia established control in the fourth set and closed out the match, winning 25-17.
 
 
Match 4: Austin 3, Millsaps 2
(24-26, 29-27, 25-23, 17-25, 12-15)
 
Millsaps faced Austin College in a closely contested five-set match, ultimately falling 26-24, 27-29, 23-25, 25-17, 15-12 at Hughey Gym to the hosts of the Austin College Tournament.

Austin showcased an offensive strength with 58 kills compared to Millsaps' 49. Despite Millsaps' strong serving performance, with 10 aces, Austin's efficient attack percentage of .114 secured their victory.
 
Junior Sandy Bourgeois led the Majors defensively with 22 digs. Baer made a significant impact at the net with seven block assists and 10 kills. Zamjahn facilitated the offense with 36 assists, adding 11 digs and five kills.

Freshman Madelynn Sasser (10 kills) and LaCaze (nine kills) were both effective on the attack as well.
 
Millsaps began strong in the first set but lost 26-24 despite reaching set point. The second set was tightly contested, with Millsaps claiming the set 29-27 thanks to a kill from Baer. Millsaps clinched the third set at 25-23, but Austin controlled the fourth and fifth sets in a comeback, ultimately winning the match.
 
Looking ahead, the Majors will travel to Montgomery, Ala., to face off against Huntingdon in a JV match on Thursday, Sept. 4, before competing in four varsity matchups combined on Friday and Saturday.
 
 
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.