MILLIGAN COLLEGE (Sept. 1, 2018) â€" Behind the vision of Kellee Geren and an all-tournament performance from Alyssa Rupert, the Buffaloes were able to split the final day of the Milligan College Mountain Madness volleyball tournament Saturday at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. Milligan (5-2) rallied from a two set deficit in the first match against Asbury (4-7) to win in five sets (17-25, 23-25, 26-24, 25-21, 15-9). In the final game of the day, the Buffs weren't able to overcome an early hole eventually falling to the University of the Cumberlands in four sets (19-25, 14-25, 25-22, 19-25). Overall, Milligan finished with a 2-2 record at the event.

MILLIGAN RALLIES FOR FIVE-SET WIN
Milligan fell behind early in set one and could never get their footing as they trailed the entire game. The second set began very similar to the first, but the Buffs would go on an 11-6 run to take a 19-14 lead. Asbury would respond with an 11-4 run to take the two set lead.

In a crucial third set, Milligan rallied from an 18-12 deficit scoring 14 of the final 20 points to keep the match alive. The Buffs would carry that momentum over into the fourth using a 9-5 run midway through to create some breathing room. A service error by the Eagles would allow Milligan to take the fourth set and tie the match at two games.

In the decisive fifth set, Milligan started strong and never looked back as they led the whole game. Julie Dockery capped off the comeback with a kill off an assist from Kellee Geren.

Geren orchestrated the offense with a match-high 52 assists and added nine digs. Elise Gregory recorded her second-straight double-double with a career high in kills (23) and digs (21). Dockery led the Buffs with a .310 hitting percentage.

Rupert led all players with 34 digs while Layla Grant and Cameron McConnell posted 12 and 10 respectively.

Lizzy Rempel led Asbury with 27 kills on 68 attempts for a .309 hitting percentage.

MILLIGAN FALTERS AGAINST CUMBERLANDS
Rupert and Grant anchored the Buffs defense with the former posting 35 digs and the latter a career-high 19 against a high-powered offensive attack from the Patriots. Grant recorded her first double-double of her collegiate career by adding 12 kills.

Geren finished with 35 assists and 12 digs for her third double-double of the season. Gregory led the offensive attack with 16 kills.

After dropping the first two sets, Milligan rallied with a strong third to send the match to a fourth. In the final game, the Buffs hung tough but just couldn't put together a run as the Cumberlands went on to win the match.

The patriots were led by Lynsey Short, 46 assists, and Megan Jackson, 16 kills.

UP NEXT
Milligan will return to action Saturday, Sept. 8, when they open up Appalachian Athletic Conference play against Truett McConnell at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse beginning at 11 a.m. Following the AAC opener, the Buffs will also host Hiwassee College at 3 p.m. to wrap up their nine-game homestand. Milligan's first road test will come Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m. when they travel to face Union College in an AAC matchup.

ðŸ"·: Robert Kell, Creative Story Visuals