MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Oct. 5, 2018) â€" Senior Alyssa Rupert, the nation's leader in digs/set, scooped up a match-high 27 digs as the Milligan College volleyball team swept Appalachian Athletic Conference member Columbia International in straight sets (25-15, 25-12, 25-18) Friday night inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

"Overall I am very pleased with our performance tonight," said head coach Doneva Bays. "Any night that you can put your whole roster on the court is a good night. At this point in the season, I feel that we are building great chemistry and a strong foundation for the conference tournament. I can't say enough about the leadership we have in Alyssa Rupert and Kellee Geren."

Milligan has now won five straight matches, including three straight sweeps, to improve their overall record to 14-4 and remain atop the AAC North division with an 8-2 record. The Rams fell to 10-11 on the year and are 4-5 in conference play.

BY THE NUMBERS
As they have all season, Julie Dockery and Elise Gregory led the offensive attack for the Buffaloes with nine kills apiece. Dockery recorded a match-high .643 hitting percentage and produced no errors on the night. Gregory also dug out six attacks to help solidify Milligan's defense.

Julia Codispoti returned to action for the first time since Sept. 1 and posted four blocks and a kill. Alyssa Gibson tallied six kills and a block to round out the offense for Milligan.

Setter Kellee Geren entered the match leading the AAC in assists per set and put forth another strong performance. Geren orchestrated the Buffs attack with 30 assists and also came away with four blocks.

Overall, Milligan posted a .276 hitting percentage while holding the Rams to a -.029. Milligan also finished with seven aces and eight total team blocks compared to CIU's two aces and one block.

UP NEXT
The Buffs remain home for a tri-match Saturday against AAC member St. Andrews (11 a.m.) and NCAA Division II foe Emory & Henry (3 p.m.). Milligan will wrap up their four game homestand against Tennessee Wesleyan Tuesday, Oct. 9, and Bryan College Friday, Oct. 12.

ðŸ"·: Robert Kell, Creative Story Visuals