MILLIGAN, Tenn. (August 25, 2023) – The Milligan University volleyball team began its season by hosting Milligan Mountain Madness on Friday. The Buffs fell to Coastal Georgia in three sets and No. 12 Taylor 3-2.

The Buffs own a 0-2 record after the first day of the 2023 regular season.

Game 1 – Coastal Georgia 3, Milligan 0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-22)

The Mariners used several late charges to secure a three-set victory. Milligan had a 24-23 set point opportunity before Coastal Georgia reeled off the next three points to steal the opening set. The Buffs led 20-18 late in the second set before the Mariners snatched another slim victory. The Buffs rallied back from a 23-18 score with four consecutive points before Coastal Georgia closed out the match.

Ella Maiden led the Buffs with 10 kills. Taylor Pavich and Greyson Stevens had six kills apiece.

Kolbie Greene had 31 assists and seven digs. Zoie Larkins had seven digs.

Game 2 – No. 12 Taylor 3, Milligan 2 (19-25, 26-24, 25-19, 18-25, 15-4)

The Buffs ambushed the nationally-rank Trojans to take the opening set 25-19 as Milligan took advantage of 11 hitting errors by Taylor. In a dramatic second set, the Buffs fought off a pair of set points to tie the game at 24 before the Trojans won a long rally and clinched a 26-24 set win with an ace.

The Buffs led 18-17 late in the third set but Taylor scored seven of the next nine points to earn the set. An 8-2 Milligan run with three kills by Shelby Miller powered the Buffs to a 25-19 win in the fourth set.

Taylor scored the first six points of the fifth set and cruised to the five-set victory.

Avery Maiden led the Buffs with 14 kills. Miller added 10 kills. Ella Maiden had eight kills and seven total blocks.

Greene logged 34 assists and 11 digs. Larkins paced Milligan with 19 digs.

The Buffs close Mountain Madness with games against Rio Grande and Georgetown tomorrow.