Milligan Volleyball Erases Bryan in Straight Sets

The Buffaloes got back to their winning ways with a simple sweep of the Bryan College Lions on Tuesday night inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse
The Buffaloes got back to their winning ways with a simple sweep of the Bryan College Lions on Tuesday night inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse
October 1, 2024

MILLIGAN, Tenn. – The Milligan University volleyball squad, coming off a disappointing loss at Johnson University, did battle with visiting Bryan College on Tuesday evening inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. The result of the tilt was swiftly determined, as the Buffaloes outpaced the Lions in straight sets to win their fifth Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup of the campaign (25-12, 29-27, 25-17).

Things opened with a set that was never in doubt for the Buffs, as they coasted to an easy 25-12 win against a reeling Bryan squad. It seemed as if the match was going to be a cakewalk for Milligan based off the rhythm of the first set.

That would not be the case, as Bryan fought tooth and nail with Milligan for the entirety of the second set. The teams traded points the entire way, with short runs from each side over the course of the period. In the end, a kill and a subsequent error by the Lions led to a 29-27 win for the Buffs, beyond regulation.

In the final set, Milligan controlled the pace again, notching a 25-17 triumph to earn a straight-sets sweep over the squad that they fell to in the AAC Tournament Semifinal to end their season in 2023.

Avery Maiden's 14 kills led the squad, as both her and her sister Ella Maiden (10) managed to put down double-digit kills. Shelby Miller posted nine kills as the third head to the Milligan monster. Kolbie Greene stepped up with a 32-assist display to lead the charge as a distributor.

Zoie Larkins and Sierra Still each supplied 10 digs for Milligan, while Greene, Riley Brinn and Grace Sanderson also had multiple pickups. E. Maiden and Miller each had three block assists in the contest.

All but one of the Buffs last eight matches have ended in a sweep, and tonight's victory was no different. The Buffs now sit at 10-6 for the season with a 5-2 record within the AAC. They will look to earn another win against reigning conference regular-season and tournament champions, Columbia International, on Friday, Oct. 4 in Columbia, S.C.