NASHVILLE - The Lipscomb women's volleyball team fell to 0-4 after their comeback efforts were cut short in a five-set thriller to the Ole Miss Rebels (1-3). Lipscomb dropped the first two sets (25-18, 25-23) but won the following two (25-21, 25-23) before falling in the fifth set 15-10.

The Rebels edged the Bisons in kills (62-60) and blocks (12-10) while also outhitting Lipscomb with a .317 percentage compared to a .196 percent by the Bisons.

Despite the loss, several Bisons had impressive performances. Four Bisons' reached the double-digit mark in kills, led by Jada DiVita, who put up a team and season-high 16 kills in the regular season home opener. Meg Mersman made her presence felt throughout the match with 14 kills to go along with five blocks. Caroline Stogner also had a solid day, finishing with 12 kills and two blocks, while Berkley Mischler tallied ten kills with two blocks as well. Sophia Hudepohl added a season-high 54 assists and seven digs. 

Set 1:

The Rebels got off to a favorable start with an early 4-1 lead which they never gave up in set one. Lipscomb clawed back to as close as two points on kills from Stogner and Mischler, but Ole Miss scored six of the following seven points to close out a 25-18 set one win.

Set 2: 

The Bisons flipped the script in set two, getting off to a 5-1 lead of their own; however, the Rebels slowly close the gap and eventually tie the game on a attack error at 19 a piece. The teams traded points, but the Rebels scored three of the last four points to come out with a narrow set two victory. Despite the set loss, the Bisons gathered momentum, which they took into the following two sets. 

Set 3:

Coach Rosenthal's squad showed great effort in set three. Lipscomb held the lead until an attack error gave Ole Miss a 9-8 advantage. Both teams battled with several lead changes, but a three-point swing gave the Bisons an 18-15 lead. Lipscomb managed to take the third set 25-21. Jada DiVita began to heat up in the third set with six kills. The Bisons also had their best hitting set of the match, swinging at a .314 percent clip. 

Set 4:

Both teams traded runs in set four; however, two three-point runs ultimately decided things. Coach Rosenthal's bunch showed a lot of grit throughout the match, but it was especially evident in set four that the Bisons wouldn't lie down. The Bisons closed the set with four kills and two service aces to force a deciding set. 

Set 5: 

Unfortunately, errors came at the wrong time for the Bisons after playing a relatively clean first four sets. Ole Miss capitalized on some mistakes by the Bisons, which resulted in a 15-10 set five victory for the Rebels.

BRANDON ROSENTHAL POSTGAME:

Hear from @RosenthalLUV postgame:#IntoTheStorm ??| #HornsUp ?? pic.twitter.com/dANtFXF5WS

— Lipscomb Volleyball (@LipscombVBall) September 1, 2023

Up Next:
The Bisons will take on Tennessee State in the final match of the LUV Invitational on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. CT in Allen Arena.