Season Preview: 2022 Volleyball

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (August 23, 2022) – The Milligan University volleyball team features a young and talented group that is eager to continue the tradition of Milligan volleyball. Last fall, the Buffs recorded their 13th-consecutive season with a winning record in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play under head coach Doneva Bays.

Milligan begins its 2022 season on Aug. 26 when the Buffs host Bethel and Keiser for Milligan Mountain Madness at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

2021 Season Review: After a slow 1-7 start, Milligan finished 14-19 with an 11-10 mark in AAC league play.

The Buffs finished seventh of 15 teams in the AAC standings by win percentage but were the ninth seed in the AAC Tournament due to the conference's unbalanced schedule and point system. In the AAC Tournament, the Buffs downed eighth-seeded St. Andrews 3-0 before falling to the eventual AAC champions, top-seeded Bryan.

After the opening two tournaments of the season, Milligan volleyball did not have a winning streak or losing streak longer than two games the rest of the season. The Buffs picked up two wins over teams that finished ahead of them in the conference standings, a four-set triumph over Union and a sweep of Brenau on senior night.

"Last season, we struggled to find our consistency and unfortunately never reached our full potential," said Bays.

Milligan graduated six-player senior class that included three-time All-AAC outside hitter Carley Gregory.

2022 AAC Preseason Poll: Milligan was picked to finish seventh of 15 teams in the AAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll.

AAC Women's Volleyball Preseason Poll
School (First-Place Vote) - Total Voting Points
1. Columbia International (9) - 218
2. Bryan (5) - 200
3. Reinhardt - 197
4. Bluefield - 186
5. Brenau (1) - 151
6. Union - 150
7. Milligan - 139
8. Point - 104
9. Truett McConnell - 99
10. St. Andrews - 88
11. Montreat - 83
12. Johnson - 81
13. Kentucky Christian - 41
14. Tennessee Wesleyan - 31
15. Columbia - 25

Team Captains: Paxton Adkins, Sarah Grace Larkey

Key Returners: With six graduating seniors that played a combined 618 sets last season, opportunities are available at outside hitter, defensive specialist and middle blocker in 2022.

Sophomore middle Ella Maiden was one of the top freshmen in the AAC last fall. She collected All-AAC First Team and All-Freshman honors as one of the top middle blockers in the conference. Maiden finished third in the conference in blocks per set (1.19), fourth in hitting percentage (.269) and was second on the roster with 2.60 kills per set.

"Ella had a great freshman season and gave us a much needed presence in the middle," said Bays. "She had a great off season and will be stronger and faster this season. We look for her to be a major contributor to both our offense and defense."

Senior defensive specialist Paxton Adkins spent much of the 2021 season wearing the libero jersey for the Buffs. She led the team with 433 digs, 3.67 digs per set and was second on the roster with 22 service aces.

"We look to have Paxton back in the libero jersey this season," said Bays. "Her consistent play and leadership will be anchors for our team's success this season."

Sophomore setter Kolbie Greene looks to be a difference-maker in her second season at Milligan. At the Buffs' opening tournament in Florida, Greene suffered an injury and missed nearly two months of action last fall. She returned for the final 11 games of the season and registered 4.89 assists and 2.27 digs per set.

"Kolbie has worked really hard this spring and summer to come back better than she was before injury last season," said Bays. "She gets more consistent in her sets every day and gaining confidence each practice. Some of Kolbie's greatest attributes is her competitiveness and her talk, both will be major factors in our success."

Senior outside hitter Sarah Grace Larkey ranks second among returns in kills per set (1.34) last fall. She has recorded 280 kills on nearly 1,100 swings over the past two seasons. Larkey posted a season high 14 kills in the Buffs' five set win over Union last year.

"We are looking for SG to have a productive year," said Bays. "She brings a punch of power to the outside."

Junior Greyson Stevens was limited to 51 sets last season due to injury, but returned to action in October in a back line capacity. She tallied double-digit digs twice before injury ended her season.

"Greyson is coming off two patella tendon surgeries and has worked hard this summer to be a contributor in our team's success," said Bays. "She will see time in the middle as well as adding depth in our team's ball control. Her energy on the court stands out."

Junior Taylor Pavich spent time at right side last year before Greene's injury called her into setting duty for nearly two months. Pavich led Milligan with 645 assists (5.61 assists/set) and totaled 48 blocks and 84 kills on a .184 hitting percentage. After racking up over 1,000 assists in her first two seasons, she looks to settle into a full-time front line roll as a junior.

Newcomers: The Buffs add five freshman and one transfer to the roster this fall.

"I'm excited about our incoming class, we have added much depth to our roster with their skill sets," said Bays.

Freshman outside hitter Shelby Miller looks to be a major contributor to the Buffs' offense at the outside hitter position with versatility to slide to the middle.

Freshman outside hitter Riley Brinn brings consistency with front row and back row play.

Junior defensive specialist Hannah Holmes looks to help Milligan's ball control and defensive unit.

Freshman right side Kira Ryan is a pin hitter that adds versatility

Freshman defensive specialist Grace Sanderson adds depth to Milligan's serve receive and defense.

Freshman middle blocker Kylie Haas stands at 6'2" and bolsters the Buffs' group of middles.

Looking at the Schedule: The Buffs host Milligan Mountain Madness on Aug. 26-27 before heading to Freed Hardeman's tournament the following weekend on Sept. 2-3.

Milligan's 21-game AAC schedule begins on Sept. 8 at Bluefield. Defending AAC champion Bryan comes to the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Sept. 27.

Five of the Buffs' final six regular season games will be at home, including Reinhardt (Oct. 28). The regular season concludes against former Buff assistant coach Kylie Whaley's Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs on Nov. 1.

The AAC Tournament is set for Nov. 10-12 at the Meadowview Marriot Resort & Conference Center in Kingsport. It features play-in games, quarterfinals, semifinals and championship games for the top 10 teams in the regular season standings.

With 15 volleyball-playing institutions, the AAC has three bids to the NAIA National Championship tournament. The regular season champion and runner up each receive an automatic NAIA postseason berth. The final bid will be determined by the AAC Tournament.

Last Word: "I think the chemistry and work ethic of this team will be huge contributors in our success," said Bays. "I look forward to a successful season and I'm very hopeful about the future of Milligan Volleyball!"