Buffs roll to 3-0 sweep over Tennessee Wesleyan

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (September 21, 2021) – The Milligan University volleyball team swept Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) foe Tennessee Wesleyan in straight sets on Tuesday evening in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. 

Highlights

The victory moves the Buffs to a record of 5-9 (3-2 AAC) on the year. The win marks the fourth victory in six games in the month of September for Milligan. Tennessee Wesleyan falls to 2-11, 0-4 AAC. 

Milligan jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead forcing TWU to call a subsequent timeout. Following the timeout, TWU was able to respond with a four-one run of their own to knot it up at 5. From that point on, the match went back and forth tying 4 separate times. The Buffs managed to cap off the set scoring nine of the final 14 points to win 25-21. 

After trailing early in the second set, the Buffs strung together multiple spectacular possessions eventually winning 25-19. Freshman Ella Maiden put together a strong offensive performance smacking down six kills along with four from senior Abigail Byington. Sophomore Taylor Pavich dished nine assists in addition to five digs in the frame.

Milligan went down 19-15 late in the third, prompting a timeout from head coach Doneva Bays. The Buffs then went on to score ten of the final 14 points slamming the door on any attempted comeback by TWU, and took the set with a 25-23. Carley Gregory knocked down four kills in the final set ending with a total of six on the night. Ashelyn Vandergriff stepped up in a big way defensively coming away with six digs in the last set.

Maiden finished the night with 15 kills and a blistering .682 hitting percentage. Pavich finished with 30 assists and nine digs. Paxton Adkins led the Milligan back line wiht 17 digs, followed by Vandergriff and Cameron McConnell with 10 apiece. 

Buffs volleyball returns to Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Thursday night hosting Johnson (Tenn.) at 7:00 PM.