JACKSON, Miss. - The Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels hit the road for Southern Athletic Association play over the weekend, resulting in losses to Rhodes (3-1) and Millsaps (3-2).

Match One at Rhodes

Ella Hughes made 11 kills and Madison Williams had four blocks despite the 3-1 loss. Isabelle Zwirn made season highs of four aces and 17 digs.

Oglethorpe earned the first three points of the game, eventually amassing a 7-1 lead over the Lynx. The Petrels held the lead until the very end of the set, when Rhodes earned five points in a row for a 25-22 end.

The Lynx dominated the second set, ending it 25-14. Rhodes seemed ready to take the third set as well, but a string of errors gave Oglethorpe a chance. Although Rhodes was the first to reach set point, kills from Williams and Aubrey Hill clenched a 27-25 win.

This would be the only winning set for the Petrels, however. Oglethorpe fought just as hard in the fourth and final set, which ended in at a narrow 25-23 for a 3-1 game loss.

Match Two at Millsaps

Ashlynn Stephens led with 18 kills and Hill made 13. Abby Wheeler made a career high of 32 digs, just six away from tying the program record for a five-set match. Camdyn George hit a season high of two aces and career high of 14 digs. Hughes also made a season high of three aces, Isabelle Zwirn made season highs of four aces and 17 digs, plus Aubrey Hill hit a career high 13 kills.

The Majors dominated the first set, swiping a quick 25-15. Oglethorpe battled hard in the second set as kills from Williams and Hill secured a last-second 25-23 win. With newfound confidence, the Petrels dominated the third set with kill after kill by Stephens.

Oglethorpe won the third set 25-18, but this would unfortunately be their last. 

The Petrels earned the first three points of the fourth set, but the Majors quickly pushed back. The set seemed it could go either way, as both teams kept creating substantial leads only to fall behind again.

Oglethorpe was first to reach set point with a kill from Hill, but Millsaps found the 26-24 win. The fifth and deciding set began with three points to Millsaps, then two for Oglethorpe. The Majors managed to lead the set for a majority of the time, resulting in their 15-11 win for a 3-2 final score.

Up Next

Oglethorpe hosts Southwestern and Trinity next Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 18-19, in Dorough Field House. Southwestern is receiving votes in the latest NCAA national poll while Trinity ranks No. 11.