Men's volleyball exudes improvement

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Feb. 27, 2018) – With 12 matches under their belt and four more to go in the 2018 season, the Milligan College men's volleyball team continues to display improvement with a new head coach, Kylie Whaley, Milligan's women's volleyball assistant coach.
 
"I came into this position knowing that this was going to be more of a rebuilding year," Whaley said. "The focus being to rebuild the team, rebuild fundamentally, and to rebuild reaching the game of volleyball to newcomers who have never played before."
 
After laying the foundation graduating the Buffs first four-year class, they are rebuilding especially in experience. This year's young team consists of just one senior.
 
Despite a tough early season loss against Bluefield College at home in three sets, Milligan responded with grit, challenging them to a five-set match on the road at Bluefield a month later. As a team, the Buffs compiled a total of 10 team blocks while junior Luke Dove tallied seven of his own.
 
"The process is never easy but the progress we have made over the course of the season is what is most important," Whaley said. "Winning is always the goal but getting better every game this year has been our focus and we have definitely accomplished that."
 
Freshman setter Austin Corcoran has started out his career strong setting a new program best of 11 aces in a match against Brewton-Parker. Dove's season high of 14 kills took place in the same match. Corcoran has also earned a career high of 24 assists in a game against Bluefield.
 
"Even though we only have two overall wins, it's been fulfilling to see the growth of this team," Head women's volleyball Coach Doneva Bays said.
 
Three more offensive weapons have been present for Milligan alongside Dove due to the Buffs' improvement in serve receive and defense anchored by Greg Abarientos and Daniel Robinson. Ryan Goines recorded a season best of 11 kills and Dalton Smith recorded 10 kills while Drew Doehring recorded eight kills, respectively.
 
The men's volleyball program continues to grow by adding new competition and more matches to the schedule each year. Campbellsville University, Brewton-Parker College and Lawrence Tech are all new additions to this year's schedule.
 
"We are really looking forward to our last home matches to see how we finish," Whaley said. "I am also already looking forward to next season."
 
Up next, the Buffs will return home for their last four games of the season beginning on Friday, March 2, at 2 p.m. against Brewton-Parker College and again at 4 p.m. to face Lawrence Tech. On Sunday, March 18, Milligan will face Appalachian State University's club team at 2 p.m. and the University of Tennessee's club team at 6 p.m., all in Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.
 
"With only losing one senior (Drew) we should have a strong foundation for next season," Bays said.