MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Sept. 19, 2014) â€" Long rallies and pivotal runs characterized the match on Friday night as the Milligan College volleyball team fell to Bryan College 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 25-14, 25-21).
 
Milligan dropped to 6-8 on the season and 0-1 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Bryan, who is tied with Columbia for first in the AAC and receiving votes in the latest NAIA poll, was only the second team to defeat the Buffaloes at home this season, bringing Milligan's home record to 5-2.
 
The Buffaloes started game one with a three-point lead, but a rally from the Lions gave them control of the match. Two runs of greater than five points put the Lions well in the lead (20-10), and despite the Buffs attempts at a comeback, they captured the set 25-17 with a kill by Rachel Mosley.
 
Milligan started game two in the lead as well, but a seven-point run from the Lions gave them control 10-8. A timeout would be all the Buffs would need as they retook the lead and maintained control until they defeated the Lions 25-22 with a kill from freshman Marissa Langford.
 
Game three remained close until an eight-point run from the Lions gave them control of the game (7-13). The Buffs would be unable to battle back as the Lions took the game 25-14.
 
The Lions jumped out to an early lead in the final game (5-1), and they would keep it for the entire game. However, the Buffs mounted a comeback late in the game, holding the Lions at game point until the score stood 24-21. It would not be enough though, as an attack error from the Buffs would seal their fate.
 
"Volleyball is a game of momentum," noted Head Coach Doneva Bays. "When momentum is on your side, then it's kind of like having luck on your side. A lot of things will go your way. When you get in a hole or if you miss a serve after a big rally, it can take that momentum and swing it the other direction. It's really hard to fight back from that."
 
Langford and Emilee Linkous led the Buffs in kills with 15 and 11 respectively, assisted by 15 digs by Kaitlyn Round and 37 assists by Jessica Davenport. The Buffs' defense put up 11 total team blocks with Linkous and Bailey Thomas both recording five or more block assists apiece.
 
The Buffs will continue their weekend at home on Saturday against another AAC opponent: the Reinhardt University Eagles. Match time will begin at 11 a.m. at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.