COLUMBIA, S.C. (Nov. 1, 2016) â€" For the first time in the last 10 matches, the Milligan College volleyball team came up short as Columbia College won the last three points of the match to take a 25-19, 20-25, 25-21, 20-25, 17-15 victory Tuesday evening in an Appalachian Athletic Conference contest.
 
With the loss, Milligan (28-7, 17-3 AAC) is locked into the AAC regular-season runner-up and two seed for the upcoming conference tournament.
 
Milligan had previously beaten Columbia in three sets when they met at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse earlier this season, but it was more of an uphill battle for the Buffs on Tuesday. Columbia led by a set twice and had a lead of 9-6 in the deciding fifth set, but Milligan rallied from behind in each case. The last rally came in the form of an 8-3 run where Milligan earned two match points at 14-12.
 
Columbia responded, however, with a 5-1 run to close the match, including winning the last three points to take the victory.
 
Milligan was led by Marissa Langford who had 20 kills and Samantha Bruinius who had 16 kills. Freshman setter Kellee Geren and senior libero Grace Ann Moorhouse, the reigning AAC setter and defender of the week, earned 43 assists and 22 digs, respectively.
 
Milligan returns to Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday, Nov. 5, to close out the regular season.