Ella Maiden and Carley Gregory collect All-AAC honors

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (November 10, 2021) – Freshman middle blocker Ella Maiden and senior outside hitter Carley Gregory were named All-Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) the announced at its annual volleyball banquet on Wednesday evening.

Maiden reeled in All-AAC First Team and All-Freshman honors after one of the most prolific debut seasons across the AAC in 2021. Gregory collected her third All-AAC award in as many years as she earned All-AAC Second Team status in her final season.

One of the top middle blockers in the AAC, Maiden ranks third in the conference with 1.21 blocks per set and fourth in hitting percentage (.268). She smacked 303 kills through the AAC Tournament's first round and ranks second on the squad and 14th in the league with 2.61 kills per set.

Maiden recorded double-digit kills in 16 of 32 matches in 2021, including a season-high 20 against William Carey. She posted a kills-blocks double-double when she had 13 kills and 11 total blocks in a match at St. Andrews. In total, she hit .200 or better 23 times through her rookie season.

Gregory leads Milligan in kills for the third-straight season and recorded her 1,000th career kill against Montreat late in the season. She leads the Buffs and ranks seventh in the conference with 2.73 kills per set. She registered double-digit kills in 15 matches.

In AAC play, Gregory's numbers became even more impressive as she ranked fifth in league matches in kills (227), ninth in kills per set (2.95) and 13th in hitting percentage (.207).

Elise Gregory was named to the AAC's Champions of Character team. Nine players were honored as All-Academic selections with C. Gregory, E. Gregory, Cameron McConnell, Jericka Emert, Abigail Byington, Sarah Grace Larkey, Paxton Adkins, Greyson Stevens and Taylor Pavich all collecting academic honors.

Milligan downed St. Andrews 3-0 earlier today in the first round of the AAC Tournament and will take on top-seeded Bryan tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. in the conference quarterfinals.