Milligan Splits with Trinity and Florida College at Labor Day Classic

Ella Maiden combined for eight solo blocks on day two of the Labor Day Classic at Florida College
Ella Maiden combined for eight solo blocks on day two of the Labor Day Classic at Florida College
August 31, 2024

TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. — The Milligan University volleyball team obtained their first sweep of the season on day two at the Labor Day Classic hosted by Florida College in Temple Terrace. The Buffs trounced Trinity College of Florida in the first match of the day but fell victim to the reverse sweep in a 3-2 loss against Florida College on Saturday night.

Game 1 – Milligan 3, Trinity 0 (25-4, 25-8, 25-17)

Match number one on Saturday was never in doubt for the Buffs, as they ran away with the opening set, allowing just four points to Trinity. From there, an additional pair of comfortable set wins ended up in the grasp of Milligan.

Freshman Bella Devoti had a standout match, leading the team with 10 kills on 17 tries. Ella Maiden and Shelby Miller each had seven kills and hit above the .400 mark. Faith Wilson had 22 assists to set the table, while Kolbie Greene added 11 of her own.

Zoie Larkins had 14 digs and Grace Sanderson had 10 as the only two Buffs to pick up double-digit attacks. E. Maiden added three solo blocks to the effort.

Game 2 – Florida College 3, Milligan 2 (18-25, 22-25, 25-20, 26-24, 15-7)

The second tilt of the evening ended in a more difficult result to swallow. After taking the match's first two sets, the Buffaloes could not hold their commanding lead, allowing Florida College to win three straight sets and steal the match.

Miller's 16 kills topped the squad, while both E. Maiden (11) and Avery Maiden (10) had 10 or more putaways. Greene had a whopping 48 assists in the loss.

A. Maiden had a total of 24 digs in the five-setter, while Larkins added 22. Sierra Still had 15, and Greene contributed 14. E. Maiden had five solo blocks in the battle, which was a season-high mark for her.

A long layoff awaits the Buffs, as they now enter the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) slate with a 4-4 non-conference record on their ledger. On Sept. 12 in Bluefield, Va., Milligan will start AAC play against Bluefield University at 6:30 p.m.