Buffs take four-set win over Union 3-1

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (October 7, 2022) – The Milligan University volleyball team defeated Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opponent Union College 3-1 in Friday evening's match at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

Milligan climbs to 11-8 (8-3 AAC) while Union falls to 8-10 overall (4-6 AAC). 

The Buffs took an early eight-six lead over Union to begin the first set. They then proceeded to score the next five points with three of them coming off kills by Shelby Miller. Milligan held on to an eight point advantage (19-11) before the Bulldogs scored 14 of the last 18 points to take set one 25-23.

Set two began with the Buffs climbing out to an early ten-three lead during a stretch in which they scored eight consecutive points. Union clawed their way back to tie the match at 13 following two Milligan attacking errors. The Bulldogs took a brief 16-15 lead midway through the set before the Buffs reeled off six points in a row to go up 21-16. Union answered scoring seven of the next eight to take the lead 23-22 before Milligan finished the set scoring the last three points of the set.   

After falling behind four-two to begin the third set, the Buffs went on a five-nothing run to take a seven-four advantage. From that point, it was all Milligan as they took a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth set with a 25-16 win.

The final set saw Milligan get out to an early eight-four lead before the Bulldogs fought their way back to tie the match at 11. After the Buffs pulled ahead by one point (12-11), Union scored the next four to gain a three point advantage (15-12). Milligan trimmed the lead to one (16-15) following a kill by Sarah Grace Larkey but the Bulldogs strung together a five-one run to take a 21-16 lead down the stretch. Three straight kills by Miller gave the Buffs all the momentum as they scored nine of the last ten to take the fourth set 25-22 and the win 3-1.

Two Milligan players finished the night with double-digit kills as Miller collected 16 while Ella Maiden ended with 13. The tandem of Maiden and Miller accounted for 36 points as they accounted for 18 points apiece. Kolbie Greene totaled 39 assists to go along with 11 digs on the night as she notched her tenth double-double of the season. Paxton Adkins led the Buffs in digs with 20 for the game in addition to four assists.

Milligan will return to action tomorrow against Johnson (Tenn.) at 11:00 A.M in Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.