Millsaps rolls past Tougaloo in three sets

TOUGALOO, Miss. (Millsaps Athletics) — The Millsaps College volleyball team swept Tougaloo in straight sets, 25-22, 25-20, 25-15 inside the Owens Health and Wellness Center on Monday.

Millsaps dominated the match with a strong serving performance, recording 10 aces. The team accumulated 39 kills to Tougaloo’s 19 and outpaced their opponents with 38 assists. Additionally, Millsaps’ defense was solid, with 41 digs contributing to their comprehensive victory.

Senior Ally Baer led Millsaps with 14 kills and four aces, finishing with 18.5 points. Freshman Anna Ware contributed significantly as a setter, recording 27 assists across three sets.

Classmate Atlee Gonzales was also active defensively, amassing 14 digs. Fellow freshman Kinney Boyle added eight kills and five digs, totaling eight points.

Millsaps opened the first set with an effective service ace by junior Caroline Russo, setting an early tone. The team maintained control with a significant 6-0 run from a 4-3 scoreline, led by Baer’s impactful plays, including a kill and an ace.

Despite a late surge by Tougaloo, Millsaps clinched the set, 25-22 with a decisive kill from Boyle, assisted by Ware, sealing the advantage.

The second set began with an initial surge by the home team, capitalizing on an attack error and a service ace to lead 2-0. However, Millsaps responded effectively, with Baer and freshman Abigail Hoelscher both contributing pivotal kills to balance the score at 5-5 and 7-7, respectively.

A critical sequence occurred when Millsaps, powered by Ware’s assists, went on a decisive run, capturing five consecutive points to extend their lead to 18-13. The set concluded with Millsaps securing a 25-20 victory, highlighted by Hoelscher’s final kill.

Millsaps opened the third set with a balanced offensive approach, highlighted by Boyle’s early kill from an assist by Gonzales, setting the tone for the set. After a back-and-forth start, Millsaps broke a tie at 8-8 with a commanding stretch, featuring a pivotal series of five consecutive points, including two kills by freshman Lily Luneau.

The Majors then took a commanding 20-13 advantage off the heals of a late 9-1 run. 

The set concluded with Millsaps firmly in control, capitalizing on several attack errors from Tougaloo and a decisive kill by Hoelscher from Ware, clinching a 25-15 victory.

Millsaps improved to 5-4 on the young season and looks ahead to hosting the Millsaps Invitational, Friday and Saturday. Live video and live stats will be provided at gomajors.com.