BLUEFIELD – In its first home match of the 2019 season, men's volleyball claimed a three-set win over the Milligan Buffaloes 25-6, 25-18, 25-17 at the Dome Gymnasium.
Early kills by Alberto Chiaparini and blocks by Eric Duron pushed the Rams out to an early lead in the first game against the Buffaloes. BC opened a 10-1 lead forcing Milligan to call time. The Rams continued to dominate and with the score 18-3, Milligan used its second timeout of the opening game. BC went on to take the first game 25-6.
Milligan scored the first point in the second game and managed to take a 2-0 lead before the Rams got on the board with a kill by Carleek Owens. The Rams tied, but the Buffaloes pulled ahead 6-2. A couple of powerful kills by Chiaparini gave the Rams a couple of points but Milligan maintained its lead. A joint block by Alex and Eric Duron brought the Rams to within a point of the lead, and moments later the Rams tied the game on a block by Alex Duron and BC took the lead when Milligan was out of rotation. BC expanded its lead and was up by four 17-13, when Chris Dixon made a kill. The Rams went on to win game two 25-18.
Milligan took an early 3-1 lead in the third game only to see the Rams draw even at three and take their first lead at 5-4. Bluefield went on a 7-2 run and Milligan called its first timeout of the third game, with BC ahead 12-6. The Rams continued their strong play, moving ahead by as many as nine points, and won the third game 25-17 to take the match 3-0.
Chiaparini led the Rams with 15 kills. Chaz Franqui had 26 assists and Andre Cardamone had nine digs.