Buffs finish strong for seventh straight win

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (Oct. 31, 2020) – The Milligan University women's volleyball team overcame a slow start to pick up its seventh straight win Saturday afternoon inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. Carley Gregory led the way with 17 kills as Milligan defeated St. Andrews 16-25, 25-16, 25-18, 21-25, 15-6.

Milligan improved to 10-4 on the season and overtook Union for second place in the Appalachian Athletic Conference North. Union (9-4) lost today in four sets at South leader Reinhardt.

Milligan also improved to 3-0 this season when playing a fifth set.

Set by set

Milligan suffered from a slow start that saw St. Andrews (3-10) take the first set, then the Buffs looked to wrap up the match three sets later until a couple of momentum swings saw the Knights win the fourth to force a fifth.

The Buffs, however, had the final answer and started the deciding game with a 5-0 run to pull ahead for the last time. Gregory and Jericka Emert each had a pair of kills early in that game as Milligan surged ahead, then Layla Grant followed with a pair of service aces that helped Milligan build an 8-1 lead.

St. Andrews was only ever able to get it as close as 11-6, then a 4-0 Milligan run ended the match. Gregory started the run with a kill to make it 12-6, then Abby Falcone ended the run with a kill to end the match.

Match tallies

Gregory's 17 kills led all attackers, and she was the first of five Buffs to finish with at least seven kills. Julia Codispoti followed with 10, Sarah Grace Larkey nine, and Falcone and Abigail Byington seven apiece. Taylor Pavich (28) and Sydney Hurd (23) tallied 51 assists together, and Elise Gregory recorded a career-high 23 digs to lead all defenders. Grant followed with 21 digs.

Up next

Milligan hits the road for the next three matches, starting with Montreat next Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 6:30 p.m. The Buffs return to Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Friday, Nov. 13, against AAC preseason favorite Reinhardt.

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