Photo courtesy of Berry sports information department

ROME, Ga.— Oglethorpe won its Southern Athletic Association tournament quarterfinal matchup three sets to one against Sewanee Friday night. The win marked the first tournament victory for the Stormy Petrels in the young history of the league. Jackie Schner led the match with 18 kills while Ellie Alfonso finished with 14 kills.

The Match

The Petrels started the first set hot, sporting a comfortable lead for most of the set until the final points of the match neared and the Tigers tightened the gap. Ultimately, Oglethorpe would win the first set by a score of 25-20.

The second set started off close tied all the way through to 6-6 before the Petrels went on a seven-point run to push ahead to a 13-7 lead that the Tigers answered with a run of their own tying the score again, this time at 14-14. The Petrels went on to win the second set by a margin of 25-19.

The third set showcased the Tigers' first lead, leading as late as 19-11 over the Petrels. That eight-point lead would be the largest of the set before the Tigers won 25-15. Oglethorpe answered with a dominant performance in the fourth set with a 25-13 win.

The Stats

The Petrels saw contributions from all around. On offense, six petrels made their way into the kill column, seven Petrels found their way into the assist column, and nine Petrels recorded digs. 

Schner led the offense with 18 kills, while juniors Alfonso and Cate Rosenthal added 14 and nine kills, respectively. Sophomore Gabbi Phillips posted her seventh game with 40+ assists with her 43 assists, four service aces, and eight-dig performance. Sofia Cendoya led the Oglethorpe defense with 25 digs, followed by Schner's 23 digs and Alfonso's 18.

Up Next

The Petrels are set to face the host Vikings of Berry College in the SAA tournament semifinal Saturday, Nov. 5, at 6 p.m. Berry ranks No. 10 nationally and handed Oglethorpe losses of 3-1 in each of the two meetings this regular season.