BLUEFIELD – Women volleyball's three-game winning streak came to halt Saturday morning as the Milligan Buffaloes claimed a four-set win in a hard-fought match.
The Buffs struck first and the Rams forced several early ties. Bluefield's first lead came at 7-6, then the teams were tied and exchanged the lead before Milligan moved ahead by four, 17-13. The Buffaloes took set one 25-19.
Milligan controlled set two from the outset and led by as many as six at 13-7. The visitors' lead grew to eight and later 10 before the Buffaloes took a 2-0 lead with a 25-14 win in set two.
The Rams drew even at three in set three, but Milligan went on an 8-1 run to go ahead 11-4. The Rams then went on a rally of their own to tie the set at 12 and take the lead 13-12. Milligan later tied things at 19 before BC went on a 5-2 run to win the game on a Leslie Flores kill.
Set four saw the Rams pull even at two before Milligan went on a 5-1 streak. Bluefield later tied the set at 7 and an ace by Claire Fingerlin put Bluefield ahead 8-7. The set was nip-and-tuck before Milligan pulled away for the 25-18 win that gave them the match.
Leslie Flores had 13 kills and 13 digs to lead the Rams' attack. Jessica Wells added 12 kills, Claire Fingerlin had a team-high 15 digs and Sophia Sansone had 10. Aubri Whatcott had 28 assists, and Adrianah Grajeda and Taylor Southerland each had three blocks.