Larkins records 1,000th dig but Volleyball falls at St. Andrews

LAURINBURG, N.C. (September 16, 2023) – The Milligan University volleyball team fell 3-1 at St. Andrews in the Buffs' first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) road game of the season on Saturday afternoon.

Milligan falls to 8-5 on the year and 2-1 in conference play. St. Andrews moves to 4-4, 3-1 AAC.

The Buffs got off to a slow start as St. Andrews never trailed in the opening set and took a 25-18 win. The Buffs overcame an early four-point deficit in the second frame to lead by as many as five points (23-18) late in the set. The Knights fought off four clinching points to extend the set before ethe Buffs notched three-straight kills to claim the set 28-26.

Milligan jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the third set and held a 17-15 edge before St. Andrews went on a 10-2 run to win the set 25-19 to take a 2-1 overall lead. The teams were tied at four in the fourth set before a 6-0 St. Andrews run gave the Knights a lead they would never relinquish to clinch the match with a 25-15 victory.

Errors proved costly for Milligan the defeat. Despite St. Andrews having only one more kill than Milligan (48-47), the Buffs committed nine more hitting errors. The Knights also held a 17-6 edge in service aces.

Ella Maiden led the Buffs with 14 kills and five total blocks. Greyson Stevens had 11 kills. Avery Miden notched seven kills and two blocks.

Zoie Larkins recorded her 1,000th career dig in the first set as she finished with 17 digs. Riley Brinn had 13 digs and four kills. Kolbie Greene recorded 41 assists.

Milligan hosts Tennessee Wesleyan next Friday at 6:30 p.m.