SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Nov. 28, 2018) â€" Despite Kellee Geren's 20 assists, the Milligan College volleyball team dropped game two of pool play in straight sets (14-25, 20-25, 15-25) to No. 16 College of Idaho Wednesday evening inside the Tyson Events Center at the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship final site.

With the loss, Milligan fell to 26-8 on the season, while the Yotes moved to 24-8 overall. Due to wins by Grand View and College of Idaho, the Buffs have been mathematically eliminated, but will still play one final match to close out the 2018 season Thursday.

In the first set, Idaho was able to use runs of 6-0, 4-0 and 4-0 to cruise to a 25-14 win, but the Buffs would not go quietly in the second frame.

After a back-and-forth beginning to the second game, the Yotes went on a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 14-8, but Milligan responded with a 3-0 run of their own to cut the deficit to two points. That would be the closest the Buffs would get as Idaho went on to claim the set 25-20.

Milligan could never get anything going in the third and final set as it was all Idaho. The Yotes used a 15-2 run with the score tied at two apiece and never looked back finishing off the Buffs 25-15.

BY THE NUMBERS
Julia Codispoti and Abby Falcone led Milligan offensively as they drove home six and five kills respectively. Junior Alyssa Gibson followed with five kills and freshman Elise Gregory chipped in four.

The 2018 Appalachian Athletic Conference Libero of the Year, Alyssa Rupert, scooped up 15 digs from the backrow to anchor the Milligan defense. Freshman Cameron McConnell added 10 to the Buffs defensive effort.

Ashley Pagan was the top target in the strong Yote attack as she finished with a match-high 12 kills. Taylor Alexander followed with nine kills and Jackie Van Vliet came away with six. Marija Djonovic accrued a match high 36 assists.

UP NEXT
Milligan will play one final time in the 2018 season as they face off against fellow Pool A member No. 17 Providence at 3 p.m. eastern time. Providence fell to No. 1 Grand View in straight sets and have also been eliminated from the tournament.