ATLANTA- Oglethorpe head coach Olivia Tidmore started her first season off strong with a 3-1 victory over the LaGrange Panthers Saturday afternoon. Returners and freshmen alike combined for a stellar game, which included a comeback in the fourth set.
Cate Rosenthal led with 13 kills as Ellie Alfonso and Briella Kohler each recorded 11. Autumn Lilly recorded 19 assists, Gabbi Phillips had 16, and Maddie Drawdy recorded 10. Sofia Cendoya, Oglethorpe's primary libero, recorded 11 digs. Legacy Guider stepped in as libero in the third set and recorded 10 digs.
The Panthers were able to keep up with the Petrels in the first set, but Oglethorpe maintained a lead that resulted in a quick 25-17 victory. Oglethorpe opened the second set with five unrivaled points and claimed another swift 25-17 victory.
LaGrange was able to bounce back in the third set. Oglethorpe seemed to be making a comeback toward the end of the set with an attack error on the Panther's side followed by a kill from Rosenthal, but LaGrange claimed a 25-18 win for the set.Â
Oglethorpe stormed into the fourth set, climbing to a 6-0 lead as LaGrange struggled to catch up. The Petrels eventually gained a 10-point lead at 13-3, and the Panthers would only be allowed seven more points. The fourth set ended with the Petrels way out on top at 25-10, giving Oglethorpe the 3-1 overall victory. Â
Overall, Oglethorpe totaled 56 kills compared to LaGrange's 22, and 13 aces against the Panther's eight. Additionally, the Petrels recorded 55 digs and two blocks.Â
Match notesÂ
Up NextÂ
The Petrels will hit the road to compete in the Wilmington College tournament. Oglethorpe will face Washington & Jefferson on Friday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 8, Oglethorpe will take on Blackburn College at 11 a.m. then Wilmington at 1 p.m. Â
The next home match is set for Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m. against Berry College.Â
