COLUMBIA, S.C. (Sept. 29) â€" Alyssa Rupert scooped up a total of 51 digs and Kellee Geren recorded two double-doubles as the Milligan College volleyball team swept both Allen University (25-20, 25-17, 25-19) and Columbia College (25-11, 25-11, 25-11) in straight sets Saturday afternoon in Columbia, South Carolina. Saturday's victories allowed the Buffaloes to improve to 13-4 (9-2 AAC) overall and move into first place in the Appalachian Athletic Conference North Division.

DOCKERY POWERS BUFFS PAST ALLEN
The first set proved to be the closest of the match as both teams traded the lead back and forth. With the score tied at 20 apiece, the Buffs would go on a 5-0 run to finish off the game and take the early lead. Offensively, Milligan put forth their best effort in the first with a .314 hitting percentage.

In the second, Milligan used runs of 4-1 and 10-1 to put away the Yellow Jackets 25-17. An early 5-0 run in the third and final set gave the Buffs all the cushion they needed to cruise to the victory.

Julie Dockery powered the Buffs offense with a match-high 10 kills on 20 attempts for a .400 hitting percentage. Alyssa Gibson followed with nine kills and a .333 hitting percentage to round out Milligan's offensive attack.

Geren recorded her eighth double-double of the season with 25 assists and 17 digs. Milligan's setter also tallied seven kills on 11 attempts with no errors for a match-high .636 hitting percentage.

Rupert continued her play as one of the best liberos in the nation scooping up 29 digs for an average of 9.67. The 29 digs from Rupert were a career-high for a three-set match. Milligan's lone senior entered today's contest third in the nation in digs/set and seventh in total digs.

Defensively, the Buffs held the Yellow Jackets (7-9, 2-4 AAC) to a .015 hitting percentage and posted five total blocks.

BUFFS ROLL PAST COLUMBIA
It was all Milligan as they dominated from start to finish Saturday evening inside Godbold Gymnasium against Columbia (0-8, 0-7 AAC).

Rupert racked up 22 digs for the match and Geren orchestrated the Buffs offense with 24 assists while adding 10 digs for her third straight double-double and ninth of the year.

Elise Gregory and Dockery each put down seven kills to lead both teams and Abby Falcone contributed to the offensive attack with five.

Freshmen Cameron McConnell and Layla Grant both provided defensive support from the back row with 10 and seven digs respectively.

For the match, the Buffs held Columbia to a -.136 hitting percentage and out-pointed them 45-17.
 
UP NEXT
The Buffs return home for a five-game homestand beginning Friday, Oct. 5, against Columbia International in an AAC matchup. During the five-game stretch, Milligan will host St. Andrews, Emory & Henry, Tennessee Wesleyan and Bryan College.

ðŸ"·: Robert Kell, Creative Story Visuals