Men’s volleyball stumbles through early games
The Milligan College men’s volleyball team opened up their season on Jan. 22 and have already played three matches. Despite falling to the opposing team in each of the matches, the team has shown improvement amidst unideal results.
MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Jan. 30, 2020) – The Milligan College men's volleyball team opened up their season on Jan. 22 and have already played three matches. Despite falling to the opposing team in each of the matches, the team has shown improvement amidst unideal results.
Against Cumberland University
The Buffs faced the Cumberland Phoenix in Lebanon, Tennessee, in their season opener on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Milligan came out of the gate swinging, scoring on the first two plays of the first set. The Buffs lost their early lead and trailed the rest of the set, finishing 25-15. The Phoenix continued to hold onto their momentum as they took the second and third set 25-10 and 25-7 respectively. Milligan freshman Joel Duzan led the team with three kills, and Ryan Goines led with eight digs.
Buffs at Midway
The Buffs then traveled to Midway, Kentucky, the following Friday to faceoff with the Midway Eagles. Milligan began the game in similar fashion as the first match, falling in the first set 25-17. They closed the point gap in the next set to 25-20 and fought for the win in the third set with an exciting 27-25 set win. The excitement was short lived as the Eagles earned an early lead and overcame Milligan 26-16 in the fourth set. The team was led in kills by Daniel Robinson with eight kills, and led in digs by Goines with eight digs once again.
Milligan hosting Bluefield
The men's volleyball team held their first home match against Bluefield College on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The Buffs opened the game falling to the Rams in the first two sets, 25-15 and 25-17. Milligan was able to come back and defeat the Rams 25-18 in the third set to avoid a Bluefield sweep. The Rams, however, were able to bounce back and defeat Milligan 25-21. The Buffs trailed 20-12 at one point but were able to work it back and only fall by four. Robinson led the team in kills with 12, and Goines led the team with 10 digs.
Up next
The Buffs next match is at home on Sunday, Feb. 2, in Steve Lacy Fieldhouse against Appalachian State University at 3 p.m.