Buffs fall to No. 25 Reinhardt at home

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (Nov. 13, 2020) – After winning nine straight matches beginning midway through October, the Milligan University women's volleyball team lost its second straight match Friday evening to No. 25 Reinhardt University, 25-8, 25-9, 25-22, inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

The loss set Milligan back to 12-6 on the season, where the Buffs remained in third place in the Appalachian Athletic Conference North Division. Reinhardt, the AAC South leader, won its fourth straight match, all in straight sets, to improve to 14-1 this season.

Carley Gregory (five) and Julia Codispoti (four) led the Buffs in the kill column. Sydney Hurd (seven), Taylor Pavich (five) and Lauren Petty (three) shared the setter role to combine for 15 assists. Layla Grant led the defense with 10 digs, followed closely by Cameron McConnell (eight), Paxton Adkins (seven) and Hurd (seven).

A 15-1 Reinhardt run spanning the first two sets put the Eagles on top early, and the Buffs were unable to respond. The Eagles closed the first set on a 9-1 run to earn a quick first-game win before opening the second set with the first six points to pull away to a 2-0 lead. Milligan made it close at the end of the third set, but Reinhardt closed the match on a 5-1 run.

Up next, Milligan has a quick turnaround and closes out the regular season with a match Saturday morning at 11 a.m. versus the Skyhawks of Point. The AAC tournament is set to take place in spring 2021.