JACKSON, Miss.—For the third straight match, Oglethorpe battled to a fifth set, but for the third straight match, Oglethorpe lost in a fifth set Saturday in a Southern Athletic Association contest against Millsaps. The Stormy Petrels fought back from a two-set deficit to force a deciding finale but suffered defeat by a score of 25-22, 25-21, 16-25, 23-25, 15-11.

This marked the sixth time Oglethorpe went to a fifth set this season, and the Stormy Petrels have posted only a 1-5 record in those matches. In the last three, which coincidentally are the Petrels last three matches, they have battled back from two sets down twice but ultimately come up short.

Ellie Alfonso and Emma Williams both reached double figures in kills in Saturday's loss to Millsaps, which split the season series after Oglethorpe won 15-13 in the fifth set when the two teams played at Dorough Field House earlier this season. Alfonso had 15 kills with Williams close behind at 12.

Gabbi Phillips had a big match with 34 assists and 16 digs, and Kylee Zimmer led the Petrels with 23 digs.

After falling behind by two sets, Oglethorpe regrouped and ran away with the third set thanks to an 6-0 run midway through the set and a 7-2 run near the end of the set. The Petrels then followed that up with runs of 5-1 and 4-2 in the fourth set. The 5-1 run helped Oglethorpe bring the set to a tie midway through the fourth, and the 4-2 run, capped by a Kinsey Wilson solo block, helped Oglethorpe take the fourth set.

Oglethorpe and Millsaps were tied at 9-9 in the fifth set before a 4-0 run from Millsaps created the last bit of separation between the two teams.

Up next, Oglethorpe faces Birmingham Southern Sunday at 1 p.m. in another SAA road match. The Petrels will be back home Wednesday, Oct. 20, against Covenant.