MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Sept. 8, 2018) â€" Junior Kellee Geren served up 71 total assists and freshman Elise Gregory blasted 27 kills on 64 attempts as the Milligan College volleyball team swept their tri-match Saturday at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. The Buffaloes (7-2, 1-0) rallied from an early deficit in their Appalachian Athletic Conference opener to defeat Truett-McConnell (4-8, 0-2) in five sets (25-19, 18-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-8). In the second match, Milligan swept Hiwassee College (2-6) in straight sets (25-11, 25-10, 25-13).
 
BUFFS RALLY IN FIVE
Led by double-doubles from Geren and Gregory, the Buffs were able to rally from an early 2-1 deficit to take down Truett McConnell in five sets. Geren facilitated the offense with 48 assists and recorded 20 digs defensively. Gregory posted a match-high 22 kills on 51 attempts for a .255 hitting percentage and added 13 digs.
 
Julie Dockery contributed to the offensive attack for the Buffs with 10 kills. The reigning National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics defender of the week, Alyssa Rupert, led all players with 27 digs.
 
After a slow start in the first set, Milligan used a 14-5 run after trailing 14-11 to close out game one, but the Bears responded in set two with a 25-18 win.
 
The Buffs used a late rally to make things interesting in the third set, but just couldn't put together a big enough run as they would go on to drop the game.
 
In a critical game four, both teams traded blows back and forth early before Milligan used a 5-0 run after the score was tied at nine to break open the game. A kill by Dockery off of an assist by Geren locked up the set win for the Buffs.
 
Milligan jumped out to a 4-0 start in the decisive fifth set and never looked back as they went on to win 15-8 to start conference play undefeated.
 
Overall, the Buffs put forth a stout defensive effort holding the Bears to a .035 hitting percentage for the match. Shayla Smith was the top performer for Truett McConnell leading the team with 14 kills on 34 attempts.
 
MILLIGAN DOMINATES SECOND MATCH
Milligan swept their second match of the day against Hiwassee College in dominating fashion behind a collective team effort. Five different Buffs recorded five or more kills led by Dockery who posted a match-high 10 on 20 attempts for a .450 hitting percentage.
 
Geren just missed her second double-double of the day recording 23 assists and nine digs. Rupert, who ranks first in division one in digs/game, led all players with 21.
 
It was a strong offensive performance by the Buffs as they posted a .326 team hitting percentage, while the defense held the Tigers to a -.099 percentage.
 
UP NEXT
Milligan will hit the road for the first time this season as they begin a four-game trip starting in Barbourville, Kentucky, for an AAC matchup against Union Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m. The Buffs next home match is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 21, at 6:30 p.m. when they host Point University at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.

ðŸ"·: Robert Kell, Creative Story Visuals