Game Recap: Rhodes vs Millsaps vs University of Wisconsin - River Falls

This past Friday on October 24th, the Rhodes Women's Volleyball Team took on the Millsaps Majors and the University of Wisconsin - River Falls Falcons. The Lynx won against the Majors in a thrilling 5 set match (3-2) and fell to the Falcons 0-3. 

Key Performances

Offensively, freshman pin hitter Caroline Short led the Lynx in kills (23) for the Lynx against the Majors and junior Yzzi Dsamou led in kills (8) during the game against the Falcons. Notably, Yzzi Dsamou was honored this weekend for her 1,000 career kills! Senior Sophie Snodgrass was also on the leader board for kills with 7 against the Majors. 

Defensively, junior libero Olivia Wiseman led the team in digs with 22 against the Majors. Olivia's accuracy and speed makes her a key player in leading the Lynx backrow. In the game against the Falcons, junior setter Emma Clark led the team in digs (8) showing her strength as a defensive setter.

Game Highlights

In their first game of the day against the Majors, the Lynx came out with a purpose: win the game to give themselves a shot at qualifying for the SAA tournament. With this goal in mind, the Lynx fought together and won the first set 25-20 ending with a kill from senior Hope Wehrli. However, the Majors had the same goal and won the second set 25-22. With the momentum in favor of the Majors, the Lynx had to rally together to even the score against the Majors. Junior Rachel Clarke started the score board for the Lynx and they worked together from there. The third set was a battle with back-to-back points at the end until the Lynx pulled through and won 28-26. In the fourth set, the Lynx battled hard but fell short 24-26 which tied up the set score 2-2 and led to the fifth set to determine it all. With 15 points until a tournament spot, both teams battled hard going back-to-back until freshman Caroline Short secured three kills in a row with assists from setter Emma Clark and with senior KK Sowers behind the service line. The Lynx won the fifth set 15-12, and defeated the Majors for the first time this season.

In their second game of the day, the Lynx took on the Falcons. Though the Lynx fought hard with notable kills from junior Yzzi Dsamou, freshman Caroline Short, junior Rachel Clarke, and senior Maggie Lukemire, the Lynx fell short 17-25 in the first set. The second set started off with a kill from Caroline Short giving the Lynx some momentum. However, the Falcons went on a significant lead and though the Lynx fought back, they lost the second set 17-25. In the third set, the Lynx continued to battle but fell short to the Falcons 15-25. Overall, the Lynx lost to the Falcons 0-3. 

Game Recap: Rhodes vs Saint Mary's College

On Saturday October 25th, the Rhodes Women's Volleyball Team played Saint Mary's College in Memphis, TN. This game was played out of honor of the seven graduating seniors including Mackenzie Geer, Belle Lukemire, Maggie Lukemire, Sophie Snodgrass, Ashlyn Martin, Hope Wehrli, and KK Sowers. Though the Lynx battled together, they fell two points short in an exciting and memorable five set match. 

Key Performances

Offensively, junior Yzzi Dsamou led the team in kills (21) to secure the Lynx points on the scoreboard. Freshman Caroline Short and senior Hope Wehrli also made the leaderboard for kills. 

In the backrow, junior Olivia Wiseman and freshman Caroline Short tied for digs (17) leading the backrow. Junior Meg Gebhart also made the leaderboard in digs. All three players are valuable defensively both in serve receive and defense. 

Running the offense, junior Emma Clark had 32 assists to help set up her hitters for success. Notably, Emma Clark was honored this weekend for her 1,000 career assists! 

Game Highlights

During the first set, the Rhodes Lynx and the Saint Mary College Belles came out both determined to win. The game started with a kill from senior Hope Wehrli, assisted by junior Emma Clark. Senior Maggie Lukemire and senior Belle Lukemire also had notable kills to secure some points for the Lynx. Though the Lynx fought together, the Belles won the first set 25-16. Determined to take the next set, the Lynx came out with two early kills from junior Yzzi Dsamou and an ace from junior Meg Gebhart. Towards the end of the set, the Lynx and Belles were tied 22-22, until the Lynx pulled through and won 25-22. Headed into the third set, both teams came out with a fire to win. Early in the match, junior Yzzi Dsamou came out with three kills in a row to give the Lynx a lead. However, the Belles continued to fight and both teams ended up tied 24-24. The Belles ended up pulling through and the Lynx fell short by two points 26-28. Now in the fourth set, the Lynx needed to win to move onto a fifth set and the Belles just needed to win to secure a whole game victory. The set was a hard fought battle with both teams going back-to-back until the Lynx pulled through with a kill from sophomore Isabella Kventensky 25-20. In the fifth set, the Belles started on top with a three point lead. However, two kills from junior Yzzi Dsamou helped the Lynx get back in the game. Half way through the game, senior KK Sowers went on a seven point serving run during which freshman Caroline Short got three kills giving the Lynx the lead 12-10. Unfortunately, the Belles had the momentum and won 15-12. Overall, the Lynx fell short 2-3 to the Belles.

Special thank you to this amazing senior class. Your dedication and hard work these past four years will forever leave a mark on this program. 

Up Next: Rhodes vs. Trinity University 

Now 10-16 overall and 4-8 in SAA play, Rhodes will face Trinity at home on October 31, 2025. The Lynx will look to regroup and continue to improve as conference play continues.