Milligan College, Tenn. (Oct. 23, 2013) â€" The Milligan College women's volleyball team defeated AAC foe, Montreat College, in a five-set match 3-2.
 
The Buffaloes started strong in the first set with a few early kills by Kylie Whaley (Maryville, Tenn.) to start the game 7-3. The Buffaloes scored on several different fronts towards the middle of the set adding kills on both the offensive side as well as defensive play. Senior, Kylinn Brenden (Billings, MT), would finish the set with a kill, making it 25-18.
 
The second and third sets would prove to be more difficult. The Buffaloes would go point-for-point with the Lady Cavaliers in the second set as they kept the game within one point towards the middle of the set. The Cavaliers would eventually capitalize off of a few Milligan errors to take a four point lead 22-18. However, the Buffaloes rallied back to tie the game at 24-24. The Cavaliers would take the win after a Milligan error and a Cavalier kill 28-26.
 
The third set started on a 7-0 run by the Buffaloes after two kills apiece by both Whaley and Brenden. The Cavaliers would rally soon after on a 5-0 run tying the game 12-12. It would not be until the game was tied at 20-20 that the Cavaliers would take the advantage and shift the momentum to take the lead. The Cavaliers would win the set 25-22 after a reception error by Milligan.
 
The fourth was similar to those before as the game stayed within one point for the beginning part of the set. The Buffaloes would take a three-point lead after a 5-0 run. After another 4-0 run by the Buffaloes later in the set, Milligan would have a 19-13 lead over the Cavaliers. The Buffaloes would finish the set on top with a final score of 15-18, bringing the match into its fifth set.
 
The two teams, yet again, battled point-for-point as each team seemed to find a rhythm. Whaley would set the Buffaloes apart after a kill in a crucial part of the set, giving her team a two-point lead 14-12. Samantha Bruinius (Tinley Park, IL) would capture the victory for Milligan with a kill assisted by Jessica Davenport (Cleveland, Tenn.), her 67 assist on the night.
 
Bruinius earned a double-double in the night's game with 19 kills and 22 digs. Davenport ended the night with a career high 67 assists. Seniors, Whaley and Brenden finished the night with 26 and 14 kills.
 
Head Coach Doneva Bays, commented, "I was very proud of how our team played as a whole. We kept our heads after going down 2-1 and ended up winning the next two sets. The seniors wanted the win and my younger players really stepped up to make some big plays."
 
With the night's win, the Buffaloes' record will improve to 12-18 overall and 7-8 in conference action.
 
The Buffaloes will return to action on Friday, Oct. 25, as they host Point University. The game is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening.