Milligan Women’s Volleyball Sweeps Pikeville on Alumni Night

MILLIGAN, Tenn. – On Thursday evening inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse, the Milligan University volleyball squad went up against the University of Pikeville in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) matchup. The squad had numerous alumnae in attendance, including 2013 graduate Chelsea Spivey Baker, who will be inducted into the Milligan Athletics Hall of Fame tomorrow evening. The current Buffs gave them a pleasant site, a 3-0 win over the visiting Bears.

A quick 4-1 deficit was created in the first set for the Buffs, but then they scored six points in a row to take a 7-4 lead. From then on, Milligan took control and coasted to a 25-18 victory to open the contest.

Out of the three sets on the evening, the second was easily the most competitive. The two sides fought to a 23-23 score with the result hanging in the balance, but Ella Maiden and Zoie Larkins kills gave the Buffaloes a 25-23 win, creating a commanding grasp on the remainder of the battle.

After jumping out to a 9-7 lead, Pikeville would allow the Buffs to score seven of the next eight points to put MU up 14-10. That run would once again vault Milligan ahead, and they would cruise through the remainder of the deciding set, earning the 25-17 win to finish the night.

Shelby Miller was outstanding in the win, notching 15 kills on 32 swings, making just four errors. E. Maiden also had a strong night, converting on 11 of her 25 attempts with just a pair of miscues. Kolbie Greene dished out 32 assists in the victory.

Larkins was the only Buff with 10 or more digs, as she managed 21 in the three-set win. Sierra Still had the next-highest mark with seven on the night. Three players had one solo block and two block assists, including Greene, E. Maiden and Addison Varney. Avery Maiden and Miller each had single block assists in the win, as well.

The Buffaloes' second sweep of the Bears this season pushes them to 14-3 within the AAC, and it also was their ninth straight triumph. Their quest for a double-digit win streak will continue on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Kentucky Christian in Greyson, Ky.