SEWANEE, Tenn. –
Maria Kennedy led the Tigers' offense with nine kills, and
Suna Merkler added 11 digs, but Sewanee fell in three sets to Rhodes in volleyball action on Saturday at Juhan Gymnasium.
Merkler also contributed six kills, while Emma Meyer posted 18 assists, six digs, and two aces.
In the first set, Sewanee led 16-14 after a Rhodes attacking error, forcing the Lynx to take a timeout. However, Rhodes responded with an 8-1 run, capitalizing on three kills, two aces, and two Sewanee errors to take a 22-17 lead, prompting a timeout by the Tigers. Sewanee halted the run with a Rhodes service error followed by a kill from Merkler, but Rhodes closed out the set 25-20 with three kills and a Sewanee error.
The second set was a tight battle, with neither team building more than a two-point lead. Rhodes eventually went on a 6-2 run to take a 22-19 advantage, forcing another Sewanee timeout. Out of the break, Rhodes benefitted from two attacking errors by the Tigers to earn set point. After Sewanee got a point back on a Rhodes error, Hope Wehril delivered the set-winning kill for the Lynx, securing a 25-20 win.
Sewanee started the third set strong, jumping out to a 4-1 lead thanks to two kills and a service ace from Sophia Caruso. Rhodes quickly responded with a kill and two aces to tie the set at 4-4. A 5-3 run by Rhodes extended their lead to 21-16, powered by four kills. The Tigers tried to rally with a kill and an ace to close the gap to three, but a Lynx kill, an error, and a block set up match point. Rhodes sealed the match with a kill off a Sewanee block, securing a 3-0 win.
The Tigers return on the road next weekend heading to Jackson, Mississippi to face Millsaps on Sunday at Noon before returning home to host their senior night on Friday, November 1 against Berry at 6 p.m. and Oglethorpe on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT.
