Volleyball advances in AAC tourney behind Gregory’s 21 kills

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (March 24, 2021) – Carley Gregory completed a career day with 21 kills, among them two kills in Milligan's final three points of the match, and the Milligan University volleyball team upset Union in four sets Wednesday evening in the quarterfinals of the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament. Milligan won 25-22, 25-23, 26-28, 27-25.

The Buffaloes (15-11) were especially resilient late in every set. They finished the first set on a 6-3 run, went on a 7-4 run late in the second set, erased four set points in the fourth set, then closed the match on a 3-1 run after Union rallied back from a 24-21 deficit to force extra points.

Each of Gregory's last two kills she crushed along the sideline with assists to Taylor Pavich. It brought her total for the match to 21, marking the third time this season she tallied 20 or more kills, ninth time this season she tallied 15 or more kills, and the 19th time this season she posted double figures for kills.

"That was a battle," Head Coach Doneva Bays said. "I'm so proud that my team continued to push, and hats off to Union for putting up a tremendous fight. We're excited to be continuing on."

Other Buffs with career days

Pavich posted a career high 34 assists, topping her previous high of 28. Sarah Grace Larkey had a career high 11 kills, including her last one which put Milligan up 24-21 in the final set. Although Union would take the next three points to tie the game, Gregory followed with the answer in the final moments of the match.

Julia Codispoti matched Larkey with 11 kills, coming up just shy of her career high of 13.

Abigail Byington and Jericka Emert followed in the kill column with eight and six, respectively. Pavich tallied four kills, and Sydney Hurd registered 18 assists.

On the defensive end, Cameron McConnell led the way with 23 digs, a career high and second straight match she posted 20 or more. Layla Grant chipped in with 15 digs.

Up next

With the victory, Milligan will play on the final day of the tournament. First up, the Buffs play their semifinal match against Point at 10 a.m. A win in that match would put the Buffs into the final, set for 4:30 p.m. Milligan will automatically qualify for the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship by winning the conference tournament or finishing runner-up to Reinhardt.

Highlights