Buffs Volleyball Falls to Reinhardt in AAC Semifinals Despite Maiden's Stellar Outing

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – On Saturday afternoon, a highly-anticipated spectacle took place at the MeadowView Marriott and Conference Center in Kingsport for the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Vollleyball Championship Semifinal between the Milligan University volleyball squad and the Reinhardt University Eagles. After dropping the first two sets of the bout, the Buffaloes won the next two sets to force a deciding fifth set, in which Reinhardt ended up with a tight win to end the Buffs' run, 3-2 (22-25, 19-25, 25-19, 25-18, 13-15). 

Milligan started the battle with a tough 25-22 loss, as more attempts from Reinhardt equaled more kills and a 1-0 set advantage. 

The Buffs looked to be in control of the second set, leading 17-14, but an 11-2 run by the Eagles over the last 13 points resulted in a 25-19 loss. That six-point margin was the largest set defeat of the battle for Milligan. 

In the third set, Milligan exorcised their late struggles in the first two stanzas. They dominated in a 25-18 set triumph.  

Nothing would change in the fourth set, as the Buffaloes marched on again with a huge 25-19 win in the penultimate set of the tilt.  

The decisive set, which was tight from the very start, made its way to 13-13. Then, a service error by the Buffs and a kill by the Eagles resulted in the 15-13 final for Reinhardt, stopping the push for an automatic bid to the national tournament and a chance at the AAC Tournament Championship for Milligan.  

It was not for lack of effort from the Buffaloes, as Ella Maiden had a season-high 22 kills on 37 swings and posted a .514 attacking clip in what will likely be the final bout of her career. Shelby Miller also had 17 kills on 48 swings, attacking at .250 in the process. Avery Maiden added 12 kills on 41 tries as the final Buff over 10 putaways. Kolbie Greene dished out 42 assists in what was most likely her final match. 

Greene's 20-dig performance was her season-best mark, while Zoie Larkins added 16 digs and Sierra Still picked up 12 for Milligan. Miller had eight, while A. Maiden and Riley Brinn had five, apiece. E. Maiden extended her career blocks record with eight more on Saturday, tallying one solo block and seven block assists. She now has 517 for her illustrious career. Both A. Maiden and Greene had one solo block and a trio of block assists, as well. Miller had a pair of block assists, while Addison Varney had one.  

The loss will most likely end the Buffaloes' season, as they were one win away from an automatic bid to the NAIA Opening Round. If they are to reach the tournament, they would need an at-large bid, which would be awarded to them on Monday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Selection Show.