MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Sept. 13, 2014) â€" It took 10 games and a total of 420 rallies, but the Milligan College volleyball team swept its competition Saturday in an afternoon tri-match, beating Union College 3-2 (25-27, 25-20, 25-18, 21-25, 15-10) and Brenau University 3-2 (25-22, 27-25, 19-25, 14-25, 15-12).
 
The Buffaloes moved to 6-6 overall, including 5-1 when playing on their home court.
 
"Last weekend [at Faulkner] broke our momentum," commented Head Coach Doneva Bays," but after a tough week of practice, two wins are reassuring that we are moving in the right direction."
 
The Union Bulldogs were the first challenge for the Buffs in a day that began at 11 a.m. and finished over seven and a half hours later.
 
The Buffs started game one with a four-point lead (4-0), but the Bulldogs would soon battle back, trading points with the Buffs until the game stood tied 25-25. A kill from both Paige Moore and Jillian Stuff would bring victory for Union in game one (27-25).
 
Milligan took game two 25-20 as Samantha Bruinius, Marissa Langford and Bailey Thomas combined for eight kills.
 
Precise serving and strong offense from the Buffs helped them take game three 25-18. Bruinius recorded two service aces and Grace Ann Moorhouse and Emilee Linkous both recorded four kills.
 
The score in game four would remain close, but a four-point run would eventually give the Bulldogs the victory (25-21) to tie the match at two.
 
The pressure for a win was on in game five as the Buffs took to the court, and they performed to perfection. Recording nine kills in the match to 15, the Buffs took the victory over the Bulldogs 15-10. Jenna Conkin, Jessica Davenport, Langford and Bruinius recorded two kills each with Linkous picking up the remaining kill for the game.
 
The Buffs continued their performance in their next match against a resilient Brenau University.
 
The Buffs took an early lead defeating the Tigers 25-22 in game one. Thomas, who scored three consecutive points for the Buffs, also led them in kills for the set (four).
 
Game two would also go to the Buffs as they battled their way to a 27-25 victory.
 
Nothing is more dangerous than a cornered animal, and so it was with the Tigers as they faced a 2-0 deficit. They began to mount a comeback in games three and four, and they defeated the Buffs 25-19 and 25-14 respectively.
 
Once again, the Buffs faced a fifth set, and once again, they took the victory. Four kills from Langford and three from Bruinius led the Buffs to a 15-12 win.
 
Overall, Bruinius led the Buffs in kills, amassing 29 for the day. Davenport nearly broke 100 assists (92), and both Linkous and Thomas recorded five blocks for the day, with all of Linkous' coming in the first match.
 
"We are definitely growing, and it showed today as we came from behind to win against Union," expressed Bays. "We are getting better."
 
The Buffs return to competition on Wednesday, Sept. 17 as they take on Emory and Henry in Emory, Virginia. Game time is set for 7 p.m.