Volleyball splits AAC doubleheader in Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (September 29, 2022) – The Milligan University volleyball team traveled to Columbia to take on Columbia (S.C.) and No. 21 Columbia International on Thursday evening. The Buffs defeated the Koalas 3-1 and fell to the Rams in three sets.

Milligan's road trip to Columbia originally had the Buffs slated to play at CIU on Friday evening and at Columbia on Saturday morning. Hurricane Ian prompted the Buffs to play both squads on Thursday night to avoid impending inclement weather.

Milligan emerges from the evening with a 9-8 record and a 6-3 mark in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play.

Game 1 – Milligan 3, Columbia (S.C.) 0 (25-17, 25-9, 14-25, 25-15)

The Buffs begin their Columbia trip with 18 kills on 31 attacks in the first set and rolled to a 16-point win in set two. The Koalas took advantage of 10 Milligan attack errors in the third set to force a fourth frame, but the Buffs bounced back with a 25-15 victory to take the match 3-1.

Sarah Grace Larkey led Milligan with 11 kills, a .450 hitting percentage and a pair of aces. Ella Maiden recorded eight kills and four total blocks. Taylor Pavich and Shelby Miller had six kills apiece and Kolbie Greene led the Buffs in assists (35) and digs (9).

Game 2 – No. 21 CIU 3, Milligan 0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-12)

The Rams scored the first four points of the match and led wire-to-wire in the first set. The closest Milligan came to the Rams was a four-point deficit (13-9) after the opening 15 points. CIU collected 10 kills on 16 swings with no errors out of their top two hitters to take the set 25-18.

CIU scored seven of the first eight points of the second set to prompt an early Milligan timeout. The Rams hit a blistering .545 in the set on route to a 25-12 set victory. In the third set, CIU scored another 25-12 win with 16 kills at a .448 clip.

Miller led Milligan with 10 kills. Maiden had five kills. Greene logged 20 assists. Paxton Adkins led the Buffs with 11 digs.

Milligan hosts Kentucky Christian on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.