Game Recap: Rhodes vs Lyon College and Austin College

This weekend marked the  home opener for the Rhodes College Women's Volleyball Team. Four teams traveled to Memphis, TN to play in a pre-conference tournament. On Friday, September 5th the Lynx took on Lyon College and Austin College. The Lynx won both games, winning in 3 sets against Lyon and 4 sets against Austin College (3-1).
 
Key Performances

Against Lyon College, sophomore Meg Gebhart led the offense with 10 kills and led the defense in digs (12). Meg's leadership defensively and offensively was crucial to the Lynx's victory this match. In the game versus Austin College, freshman Caroline Short led the offense with 18 kills, which was key to the Lynx winning in 3 sets.
 
In the game against Austin College, junior libero Olivia Wiseman was a key player in the Lynx's defense with her 21 digs. With her passing accuracy, consistent serve receive, and aggressive serving, Olivia is an influential player on the Lynx's defense.
 
As for setting, senior Mackenzie Geer led the team in assists (24) against Austin College and freshman Luca Prest led the team in assists (16) against Lyon. Both setters had great performances and ran a successful offense.
 
Game Highlights

The Lynx started the first day of the tournament strong with defeating Lyon College in the first set 25-15. Notably, senior middle, Hope Wehrli, went on a five point serving run towards the end of the first set to bring the Lynx closer to victory. In the second set, the Lynx had to battle together as Lyon College started the set with a 7 point lead. However, with kills from junior Yzzi Dsamou and senior Maggie Lukemire, the Lynx won 27-25. Carrying momentum from the second set, the Lynx won 18-25 with help from a 4 point serving run from sophomore Chloe Davis.
 
After their win against Lyon College, the Lynx took on Austin College, an opponent they faced last weekend and lost to in 3 sets. Though they lost in the first set, the Lynx had an exciting reverse sweep against Austin College this weekend. The fourth set went over 25 points as both teams tried to get the two-point advantage. With a kill from senior Maggie Lukemire and freshman Caroline Short, the Lynx won the fourth set 29-27. The last time the Lynx had beat Austin College was in 2011.
 
 Game Recap: Rhodes vs Webster University and Hendrix College

On Saturday, September 6th the Lynx played against Hendrix College and Webster University. The Lynx lost in their first game of the day against Hendrix (1-3) and won in their second game against Webster University (3-0).
 
Key Performances

Leading the Lynx in offense in both games was freshman Caroline Short with 22 kills against Hendrix and 15 kills against Webster. The freshman outside is a great addition to the Lynx's roster and has been a key player in the Lynx's offensive success.
 
Defensively, junior libero Olivia Wiseman led the team in digs in both matches with 21 digs in the game versus Hendrix and 22 digs against Webster. Olivia also led the team in aces against Webster. Her standout performance in the backrow was monumental in the Lynx's success.
 
Running the offense, junior setter Emma Clark led the team in assists in both games with 23 assists against Hendrix and 18 assists against Webster. Emma's consistency as a setter was critical in giving the Lynx's offense an opportunity to score points.
 
Game Highlights

In the game against Hendrix, the Lynx fell in the first two sets but won in the third (25-21) with two aces from junior Emma Clark and a kill from freshman Caroline Short to end the set. In the fourth set, the Lynx fought against Hendrix, always a couple points in reach. Though the fourth set was close, the Lynx fell to Hendrix (25-21).
 
Determined to get a win to end the tournament, the Lynx rallied together against Webster University. In the first set, the Lynx went on an early 6 point run with serves from junior Emma Clark. The Lynx won the first set 25-20 and carried this momentum into the second set to win 25-17, ending with a kill from senior Maggie Lukemire. In the third set, the Lynx and Webster went point-by-point, until the Lynx pulled away with kills from senior Ashlyn Martin, junior Meg Gebhart, and freshman Caroline Short. The final score of the third set was 25-21, giving the Lynx a 3-0 victory against Webster and a 3-1weekend.

Up Next: Rhodes vs. Dominican University, Elmhurst College, North Central College 

The Lynx will travel to Naperville, Ill. to compete in a tournament as they look to build on the momentum from this past weekend to continue non-conference play.