DANVILLE, Ky.—It was a career day for seniors Briella Kohler and Gabbi Phillips who posted career highs of 21 kills and 19 digs, respectively, but the Oglethorpe volleyball team suffered a five-set defeat to Rhodes Friday in the quarterfinals of the Southern Athletic Association tournament.

The Stormy Petrels held a two-set lead, but after the third and fourth sets both went close in favor of Rhodes, the Lynx advanced with a 15-7 win in the fifth.

Kohler's 21 kills came next to three block assists and six digs. Phillips also posted 21 assists and two service aces.

Oglethorpe took full command of the match with a 25-22 win in the first set and a resounding 25-16 win in the second, setting up what looked to be a quick finish to advance Oglethorpe in the SAA tournament for the second time in program history. Instead, Rhodes clawed back with wins of 25-23 in the third and fourth before starting the fifth on an 8-1 run to take its own control.

Oglethorpe, a set away from the win, led 22-20 in the third but saw Rhodes use a 5-1 run to finish the set and force a fourth. Oglethorpe then had the match tied at 18-18 in the fourth before Rhodes finished that set on a similar run.

It all came down to the fifth, and Rhodes won eight of the first nine points before teams played relatively even the rest of the way.

Match Notes

• Fellow senior Legacy Guider finished her career on a high note with 23 digs.
• Autumn Lilly posted a career high 15 digs.
• Abby Wheeler and Gracie Sims also made it to double figures in digs with 10 apiece.
• Sims finished next in the kill column behind Kohler with 11 kills and only four errors.
• Camdyn George posted seven kills.
• Oglethorpe finished the 2024 season with a record of 13-16 overall (5-7 SAA).