BLUEFIELD, Va. - The Bluefield University women's volleyball team dropped a five-set battle against Milligan, 3-2, Tuesday evening inside The Dome.
Following the loss, BU moves to 3-9 on the season and 0-6 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play.
Set 1
The Rams came out strong in the opening frame, jumping out to an early 6-1 advantage behind kills from sophomore outside hitter Faith Alsup and freshman right side Ryann Marsh. BU continued to hold the lead midway through the set, with Alsup adding several kills while senior middle hitter Morgan Wigg and junior right side Scarlett Hulse helped the Rams maintain a 14-11 advantage. Milligan battled back to take a 18-17 lead, but Bluefield answered to tie the set at 18-18. The Buffs pulled away late, however, scoring the final four points to take the opening set 25-21.
Set 2
Bluefield responded immediately in the second set, trading points with Milligan before taking a 5-2 lead. The Rams continued to build their advantage, with kills from Alsup, Hulse and senior middle hitter Ella Gawellek helping BU move ahead 12-8. Bluefield stretched the lead to 20-14 following a kill from Gawellek and an ace. The Rams closed out the set in convincing fashion, scoring five of the final six points to win 25-16 and even the match at one set apiece.
Set 3
The third set remained close early, with the teams tied at 5-5 before Bluefield moved ahead 10-6 following a four-point run highlighted by kills from Alsup, Marsh and senior outside hitter Chesed Russell. Milligan answered with a run of its own and eventually took a 15-13 lead. The Rams continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 19-17 after an Alsup service ace, but the Buffs regained control late. Milligan finished the set with a 25-20 victory to move back in front 2-1.
Set 4
Facing elimination, the Rams opened the fourth set with four-straight points, including a pair of service aces from sophomore defensive specialist Laura Rudin and a kill from Hulse. Bluefield continued to control the set, building a 16-8 advantage behind strong play from Alsup, Hulse and sophomore defensive specialist Sienna Vitelli. Milligan attempted a late comeback, but the Rams maintained their lead and closed out the frame on a kill from Alsup, winning 25-20 to force a deciding fifth set.
Set 5
The deciding set was tightly contested from the opening point, with neither team able to pull away. Bluefield held a 7-5 advantage after consecutive kills from Wigg and Chesed, while another Wigg kill gave the Rams an 8-6 lead. Milligan answered to tie the set at 10-10 before the teams continued trading points. Gawellek put BU ahead 11-10, and an attack error by Milligan gave the Rams a 13-12 advantage. The Buffs responded with the final three points, however, claiming the fifth set 15-13 and the match 3-2.
Match Stats
Alsup led all players with 23 kills while adding six digs, two service aces and a block assist. Russell recorded 12 kills, while Wigg finished with nine kills and a team-best .318 hitting percentage. Hulse and Gawellek each contributed eight kills, with Hulse adding two service aces and three block assists. Sophomore setter Kylee Sturgill paced the Rams with 35 assists, while graduate setter Izabella Lechuga added 24 assists. Vitelli led the defensive effort with 31 digs and three service aces. Marsh finished with five kills and three block assists.
The Rams return to action Friday, September 25, traveling to Columbia for an Appalachian Athletic Conference contest at 6:30 p.m.
