ATLANTA - The Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels began the 2025 season at Emory's Jenny McDowell Invitational, taking on the St. Catherine Wildcats for five sets but ending with a 3-2 loss.

Ashlynn Stephens led with 21 kills followed by Camdyn George and Ella Hughes with nine each. Abby Wheeler made 22 digs and Gracie Sims had a career high of 20. Autumn Lilly totaled 34 assists.

St. Catherine took the first set by a hair at 25-23, then Oglethorpe flipped the script in set two. Lilly started the set off with a service ace, followed by Hughes and Stephens combining for three straight kills. The Wildcats were quick to respond, and even held the lead at one point, but a kill by Lilly and a service ace from Isabelle Zwirm clinched the second set.

St. Catherine won the third set 25-22, then Oglethorpe claimed the fourth 25-21 for the biggest lead of the game.

However, the Petrels could not stretch that energy into a fifth set. The Wildcats quickly reached 15-5 for their 3-2 win.

Game Notes

• Four freshmen made their collegiate debut: Hughes, Zwirn, Alise Mayers and Ariana Roeder.
• This was Oglethorpe's first ever match against St. Catherine.
• As a team, the Petrels made 74 digs compared to the Wildcats' 67.

Up Next

The Jenny McDowell Invitational continues as Oglethorpe faces Mississippi University for Women Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Oglethorpe's first home game of the season will be Saturday, Sept. 20.