SEWANEE, Tenn. - Southern Athletic Association play continued as the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels suffered a 3-2 loss to the Sewanee Tigers Friday night after a brilliant display of endurance.

Briella Kohler led with a career high 17 kills, followed by Ashlynn Stephens with a career high 15 and Ellie Alfonso with eight. Kohler also recorded 12 digs, followed by Gabbi Phillips with 10 and Sofia Cendoya with nine. Phillips also tallied 35 assists. As a team, Oglethorpe totaled 66 digs (three more than Sewanee), 10 aces and 57 kills.

Oglethorpe earned the first points of the match after an attack error from the tigers and a kill from Kaitlyn Bassett. The first set was neck and neck, until Sewanee managed to pull away toward the end as Oglethorpe fell 25-21.  

The second set also began with two points for the Petrels, this time providing a good omen. Oglethorpe quickly gained a 5-1 lead, then increased to a 10-5 lead, and did not allow the Tigers to ever take charge. The Petrels defeated Sewanee 25-19 to set the score at 1-1.  

The third set seemed to be anyone's game as both teams continually tied the score. Ultimately, Oglethorpe won the intense set 27-25 thanks to a kill from the level-headed Cate Rosenthal.  

Sewanee earned the first point of the fourth set, but the Petrels quickly gained the lead hoping for a 3-1 victory. However, the Tigers had a few tricks up their sleeves and managed a 25-22 win. 

Still fighting in the fifth and final set, Oglethorpe started off with two kills from Stephens. Sewanee managed to reach a 7-3 lead, which set them up for the 15-8 win. After five long sets of ups and downs, the Petrels were handed a heartbreaking 3-2 loss. 

Match Notes 

• The last time a match with Sewanee went into five sets was in 2016. 
• Oglethorpe defeated Sewanee 3-1 at last year's SAA quarterfinals. 
• Sewanee matched Oglethorpe's total kills.

Up Next 

The Petrels will remain on the road to continue conference play, taking on Centre College Saturday, Sept. 23, at 12 p.m. The next home game will be Saturday, Sept. 30, at 12 p.m. against Birmingham Southern.