MEMPHIS - For the Rhodes College volleyball team, it has been a tough run in the last few years, especially against some of the SAA's top volleyball teams. On Wednesday evening, it was an opportunity for the Lynx to shine and prove that the volleyball program has turned a corner.

And oh what a statement it was.

After dropping the first set, Rhodes took over and dominated the 20th-ranked Hendrix Warriors, winning the next three sets in convincing fashion to pick up a four set win on Wednesday evening at Mallory Gymnasium.

With the win, Rhodes moves to 7-8 overall and 3-5 in the conference while Hendrix moves to 12-5 and 7-1. 

For Rhodes, it was a win over a Hendrix program that has won back-to-back conference titles and made two straight regional appearances including an appearance in the Elite Eight last season. It is the Lynx first win over the Warriors since September 14, 2013 and the second straight season they have defeated a ranked opponent, defeating 20th-ranked Berry last season in four sets.

Rhodes was red hot in their attack, hitting over .370 in the final two sets. The Lynx hit .277 on the match with 49 kills and a season-low 10 errors. Meanwhile, Hendrix hit .158 as a team with 51 kills to 26 errors. Rhodes was especially dominant in the fourth set as the Warriors hit -.034.

Things did not start smoothly for Rhodes on Wednesday night as Hendrix jumped all over the Lynx. The Warriors hit .343 in the first set including 17 kills while Rhodes could only muster eight kills in the entire set. Hendrix cruised to a 25-14 win.

Things would be different the next three sets.

With the score tied at three early in the second set, Rhodes proceeded to rally for five straight points behind kills from sophomore Katherine Bolyard and mistakes from the Warrior attack.

Rhodes would take advantage and build their lead to 13-9 before the likes of Bolyard, junior Elasha Williams, and sophomore Ellen Platt caught fire to push the lead out to 19-10. Fantastic defense kept the Lynx ahead at 23-12, and despite a small rally from Hendrix, it would not be enough as Williams got the final kill to even the match after a 25-18 win in set two.

Set three may have very well been the turning point for the Lynx, hitting .385 in the set with 16 kills and only one error. Rhodes moved ahead 4-0, but Hendrix responded to tie the match at eight. A quick three point rally behind kills from sophomore Caroline Perlis and freshman Heather Antrim put Rhodes back ahead 12-8.

The Lynx continued to build on their lead and they went ahead 17-12 as great defense continued to be the story as the likes of senior Catherine Grimes, sophomore Camila Zimmerman, Williams, and Platt continuously made unbelievable digs to break the spirit of the Hendrix.

The Warriors made one final push in set three to get it to 20-19, but the Rhodes defense and kills from Antrim, Perlis, and Platt closed the set out at 25-22 and gave the Lynx a 2-1 lead all the momentum going forward.

In set four, Rhodes took over and gave Hendrix no chance to get back in the match, taking a commanding 9-1 lead behind great play from Williams and Platt. In the blink of an eye, the Lynx were leading 14-3 as they cruised the rest of the way to clinch the match at a dominant 25-11.

Williams and Platt had 10 kills a piece while Bolyard added nine on the night. Williams would also add two service aces while sophomore Hannah McCarty was outstanding, going for 25 assists. Sophomore Arati Joshi added 10 assists on her night as well.

Defensively, sophomore Lulu Schulz was great again, finishing with seven blocks while Antrim added four blocks. McCarty picked up 12 digs followed by Grimes with 11 and Bolyard with nine.

Rhodes will look to build on the momentum as they are in the thick of a three game home stand. The Lynx will welcome Millsaps College to Mallory Gymnasium on Friday evening at 6 PM.