SEWANEE, Tenn. – Despite strong performances from
Savannah Gann,
Maria Kennedy, and
Emma Meyer, who each recorded double-doubles, the Sewanee Tigers fell in four sets to Oglethorpe on Sunday afternoon in Atlanta.
Oglethorpe opened the first set with a 6-2 run and maintained control throughout, as Sewanee struggled to find its rhythm offensively, managing just three kills in the set.
The second set started with an ace from Meyer, but Oglethorpe quickly responded with a kill. The Stormy Petrels then went on a 10-3 run, building a 14-7 lead. The teams exchanged points, but Oglethorpe's advantage held, and they took the set 25-19.
Sewanee fought back in the third set, winning a marathon 29-27 to stay alive in the match. The Tigers took an early 4-1 lead, but Oglethorpe answered with four consecutive points. Sewanee managed to string together points more effectively, and at 19-19, they surged ahead with a 5-1 run, highlighted by three kills, an ace, and an Oglethorpe error. The Petrels rallied to tie the score at 23-23, but a kill from Kennedy gave Sewanee their fifth set point, and Gann sealed the set with a service ace.
Despite the momentum from the third set, the Tigers continued to struggle offensively in the fourth, recording seven kills alongside seven errors. Oglethorpe capitalized, registering 11 kills and taking the set 25-16 to close out the match.
Sophia Caruso was a standout on defense for the Tigers, posting 23 digs and three assists, along with one kill. Meyer notched her third double-double of the season, contributing 29 assists, 13 digs, two kills, and a service ace.
Gann led Sewanee offensively, recording her third double-double of the season with 15 kills, 13 digs, two aces, and a block assist. Kennedy added 10 kills and 11 digs, while
Suna Merkler posted six kills and three block assists.
Anna Ellison and
Nicole Radford chipped in two block assists each, with Ellison adding four kills.
The Tigers return home for their first home matches since September, hosting Millsaps and Centre next Sunday and Monday.
