Women's Volleyball Earns First Road Conference Win

By Hobie Vannoy

September 24, 2014

BLUEFIELD, VA--The Milligan College women’s volleyball team returned home Tuesday night after defeating the Bluefield College Rams in Bluefield, Va.  In their first road conference match of the season, the Lady Buffs won 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-19).  This marked the third time this season the Lady Buffs have won in straight sets.

 

Last night’s victory was Milligan’s second straight win after losing six of their last eight matches and only their second road win this year.

 

“This is a huge accomplishment for the girls, being able to win the first conference game on the road,” head coach Doneva Bays said.  “We are finally learning how to come out with the same intensity on the road as we do at home.”

 

Milligan was led offensively by freshman outside hitter Marissa Langford who totaled 13 kills and had a phenomenal hitting percentage of .550 which is roughly double the conference average. 

 

“Marissa has been strong for us all year,” Bays said, “but tonight both of our outside hitters were really able to minimize the errors that have been hurting us all year.”

 

Samantha Bruinius, the Lady Buffs’ other primary outside hitter, had only one attacking error, career best for her.

 

Grace Ann Moorhouse led the defensive charge tallying 16 of the Lady Buffs’ 51 digs.

 

Milligan started off slowly, falling behind 5-2 in the first set.  The Lady Buffs, however, kicked it in gear quickly as they outscored Bluefield 23-11 over the remainder of the set. 

 

From there, Milligan continued applying pressure and carried the momentum over into the second set by jumping on the Rams with an early 8-2 lead.  Milligan went on to close with an 8-3 run holding the Rams to only 12 points for the set.

 

In the third set, Milligan was able to clear the bench to have everyone play.  Bluefield found some life from this and gained its first lead of match since set one.  The Rams were able to contest Milligan for much of the set, but the Milligan subs sustained the intensity of the starters to close out the victory.

 

“We continue to prepare daily both mentally and physically,” Bays said.  “Because we are young, the mental aspect of the game is the biggest part that we need to take hold of.”

 

The Lady Buffs improved to 8-8 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.

 

Milligan will host Columbia College on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. here at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.