Milligan Volleyball Manages Four-Set Victory at Brenau

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – On Friday night, the Milligan University volleyball squad took to the road to face off with Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga., looking to continue to add wins to their 2024 resume. After dropping the match's opening set, the Buffs were able to achieve three set wins in a row to achieve their sixth straight triumph (24-26, 25-20, 25-16, 25-23) in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). 

The first set was lost by the Buffs, with Brenau hitting at .306 with 18 kills. Still, Milligan had a 24-21 lead, and were looking to end the set with a single point. Instead, the Tigers rattled off five in a row to take a 26-24 set triumph. 

Fortunately, the Buffaloes shook off the gruesome ending to the opening set by putting away 13 kills on 26 swings in the second set. The .423 hitting percentage was the squad's top showing on the night, as they hit their way to a 25-20 victory. 

Another strong offensive set, paired with the worst showing of the night for Brenau, equaled a dominant 25-16 win in the third set for the Buffs. 

With both teams struggling massively in the fourth set, Milligan was able to eke out a 25-23 win, including seven service errors by the Tigers and two service aces by the Buffaloes. 

Ella Maiden led the offensive charge with 13 kills on 19 swings and just four errors. Shelby Miller had a total of 12 kills on 28 attempts , while Avery Maiden added 11 putaways of her own on 25 attacks. Kira Ryan added four kills, as well. Kolbie Greene set the table on 37 kills for the Buffs in the win. 

A. Maiden tallied another double-double with 13 digs in addition to her aforementioned 11 kills. Zoie Larkins picked up nine Brenau swings, while Riley Brinn had five digs, Greene had four and Grace Sanderson added a pair. Addison Varney had five block assists in the tilt, while Greene and E. Maiden had three apiece. A. Maiden and Ryan had two each, and Miller contributed the final block assist. 

The Buffaloes will be right back at it tomorrow morning against Montreat inside Steve Lacy Fieldhouse for an AAC bout at 11 a.m.