by Jules Gonsoulin

sports editor

More than 2,000 Millsaps fans gathered Saturday to cheer on the Majors football team, but the real story in Millsaps athletics right now is the volleyball squad. Currently undefeated, the Lady Majors have dominated the court, going 8-0 in the early part of the season.

“The team already has been very successful,” said co-captain Caroline McKey. “We had a great preseason. With 12 freshmen and nine returning players, there is a lot of healthy competition in the gym.” The Lady Majors have defeated two conference opponents, Huntingdon and Rhodes, as well as six non-conference foes, such as Southern University, Lyon College, and cross-town rival Mississippi College.

One factor to the volleyball team’s success is the return of key players to the squad. McKey iterated that setter and co-captain Taylor Zeigler as well as junior middle Lexus Andrews are vital to the Lady Majors’ winning tradition. Mary Allison Wilson, Courtney Huie and Payton Mansell also join the ranks of valuable returning upperclassmen who step into leadership roles this year. The team also welcomes 12 new freshmen this season, such as Madelyn Pearce, Rachel Jackson and Kaitlyn Welch.

With such a large freshmen group, McKey has challenged herself to become a better leader and role model. “My personal goals are to be the best leader I can be. With a freshmen class of 12, most responsibility falls on myself and Taylor as captains. I want to be a positive influence for the team on and off the court. I’m hoping to be a role model for our younger players.”

The Lady Majors’ next game will be in the Hangar Dome against Birmingham Southern on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m.