JACKSON, Miss. - The Rhodes College volleyball team split its first day at the Millsaps/Belhaven Invite, falling to Texas-Tyler in a close three game set before coming back and defeating the host, Belhaven University, 3-1. 

In the first matchup against the Patriots, the Lynx could not overcome a hot Texas-Tyler team who finished with a team hitting percentage of .311 including .440 in the final set. Rhodes stayed within range in all three sets, but the Patriots were too much, winning 25-19, 25-21, 25-20.

Freshman Lulu Schulz finished with eight kills to lead the way while freshman Caroline Perlis and sophomore Gabby Gafford each added three. Freshman Arati Josh added 11 assists. Defensively, Maraia Tremarelli had six digs while Perlis added four blocks.

The Lynx returned in the evening, looking to rebound as they took on the home standing Blazers. Rhodes had opened the 2015 season with a win over Belhaven, 3-0, in Memphis. 

The two teams would split the first two sets, Rhodes taking the first one, 25-19, and Belhaven responding to take the second set, 25-18.

Defense would be key in the final two sets, as Belhaven shot under .100 percent, including a -.029 percentage in the final set. Meanwhile, Rhodes turned it up, shooting .303 in the fourth set to clinch the match. 

Freshman August Bishop led the way with 14 kills while sophomore Elasha Williams added a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs. Schulz came away with eight. Freshman Ana McMullen picked up 20 assists while Joshi added 11. 

Defensively, Tremarelli had 20 digs while Joshi added 10. Freshman Ellen Platt had three blocks and Perlis and Schulz added two a piece.

The Lynx improve to 3-4 on the season and will be back in action tomorrow afternoon in Jackson. They will move over to Millsaps College, where they will take on Centenary College of Louisiana at 1 p.m. and Mississippi College at 5 p.m.