ATLANTA, Ga. - The Birmingham-Southern volleyball team was defeated against Oglethorpe University and #12 Berry College on Friday and Saturday.

Game 1 vs. Oglethorpe

The Stormy Petrels got off to a quick start in set one by taking an 8-2 lead early. The Panthers started to slowly climb back and tied the score at 14 after a block from Gracie Sims and Ainsley Schultz. BSC then kept the momentum going and took a 16-15 lead. Oglethorpe then regained control after a huge 8-0 run to put themselves within two points of an opening set victory. The Panthers outscored the Stormy Petrels 6-1 to put themselves within two, but Oglethorpe finished out set one with a 25-22 win.

In set two, back-to-back Claire Hayes service aces tied the set at 13 a piece. Oglethorpe then retook the lead, but BSC continued to battle and took a 20-18 lead after four-straight points. After back-and-forth play, a Kylie Wilhelmi kill put the Panthers up 25-24 however, they were not able to get the next point. The Stormy Petrels then rallied and capitalized on the opportunity by taking set two 29-27.

Frustrated with the result of the previous set, BSC came out flying in set three. Midway through the set, seven consecutive points gave the Panthers a commanding 19-9 lead. They then went on to win set three 25-11 after an attack error from Oglethorpe.

The Panthers continued their strong play in the beginning of set four. They got out to a 10-7 lead after a Chloe Staggs service ace. The score would remain tight, but the Panthers never gave up the lead after going up 20-19. The Stormy Petrels would not go away and forced the set to go beyond 25, but another service ace from Staggs tied things up at 2-2 on the day.

With all to play for in set five, the Stormy Petrels quickly went up 6-1. The Panthers slowly cut into the deficit and found themselves within one with the score being 11-10. However, they just fell short of a comeback and fell 15-11 in the final set to give Oglethorpe the 3-2 win.

Records
Birmingham-Southern 7-8 (3-1 SAA), Oglethorpe 6-4 (1-3 SAA)
 
Set Summary 
SET ONE: 25-22 Oglethorpe
SET TWO: 29-27 Oglethorpe
SET THREE: 25-11 BSC 
SET FOUR: 27-25 BSC
SET FIVE: 15-11 Oglethorpe

Game 2 vs. #12 Berry

Set one saw the Vikings take an early 10-6 lead, but the Panthers would not go away. They hung around and trailed only 16-13. Then, Berry went on an 8-1 run to take total control of the set with a ten point lead. They went on to win set one 25-16.

In set two, the Panthers got off to a great start with a 5-0 lead led by two Kylie Wilhelmi kills. 'Southern then kept the pressure on and went up 11-4 early on. Berry got within four, but BSC kept the momentum going and had a 23-25 lead late. Two-straight kills from Ainsley Schultz tied the match up 1-1 after a 25-25 set two win.

In the third set, roles would be reversed. Berry came out hot with a 9-1 lead. The early deficit would be too large for the Panthers, and Berry did not slow down. The Vikings retook the lead 2-1 on the day after winning set three 25-16.

Looking to stay alive in set four, the Panthers got off to a 5-4 lead early after trading points to start the set. Berry then took the lead immediately after and never gave it back. BSC had great play and the score was within three throughout a majority of the set. BSC cut the Berry lead to one after an Abby Dunford service ace to make the score 18-17. However, the Vikings then scored four-straight points to go up by five. The Panthers were unfortunately not able to recover and could not force a set five.

BSC's Kylie Wilhelmi went on to win SAA Offensive Player of the Week for her display this weekend. She had 14 kills against Oglethorpe and 17 kills against #12 Berry.

Records
Birmingham-Southern 7-8 (3-2 SAA), Berry 11-4, (5-0 SAA) 
 
Set Summary 
SET ONE: 25-16 Berry
SET TWO: 25-15 BSC
SET THREE: 25-16 Berry
SET FOUR: 25-22 Berry

Up next
The Panthers will be on the road Wednesday, Oct. 4th in Jackson, Miss. against Millsaps at 6:00 p.m.