Box Score BLUEFIELD, Va. - Victory could not have been any closer, yet it evaded the Bluefield College women's volleyball team Tuesday evening at Dome Gymnasium in an Appalachian Athletic Conference match. The Rams and Milligan Buffalos battled for five sets with the visitors claiming a 3-2 win, taking the final game 16-14 to win the match.
BC jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first game only to see Milligan rally to go ahead 5-4 and later build a three point lead. The Rams fought back and tied things at 15 and Rachel Alley's kill put BC back on top at which time Milligan called a time out. Bluefield controlled the remainder of the game and claimed the win on Hannah Winter's kill, 25-22.
The second game saw ties at each point early and Milligan pulling ahead by no more than two points. Alley's kill tied it at 21 and another kill by Lexie Mocarski knotted the game at 22. The Rams took the lead on an Alley kill. Milligan called time then rallied to score the final three points to take a 26-24 win.
In the third game Milligan jumped out to a six point lead at which time Rams coach Buddy Gallemore called time. Bluefield fought back to within three on several occasions and closed to within two at 24-22 before Milligan scored the final point to win the game 25-22 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Staring defeat in the face, Bluefield came out hot in the fourth game and held a four point advantage before Milligan tied the game at 13 and took the lead. The Rams did not falter and battled, building a four-point lead. Milligan closed to within two at 24-22 but an ace by Amber Taylor-Inge won the game for Bluefield 25-22 and set the stage for a deciding game five.
Milligan ran out to an 8-5 lead at which time the teams switched sides of the court. Bluefield pulled even at 10 and took the lead 11-10. The teams battled each point and another Alley kill gave the Rams a 13-11 lead. BC went back in front 14-13 but Milligan scored the final three points of the game to win it and the match.
Bluefield's Camry McCroskey had 52 assists to lead the Rams in that category. Alley had 15 kills and Ellen Johnson added 14. Ashlyn VanDyke had 22 digs and Mocarski picked up nine.
The Rams are now 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the AAC. They return to the court Friday night at Tennessee Wesleyan. Milligan improved to 7-6 overall with the win and 4-2 in conference play.