Box Score MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. – UVa-Wise volleyball lost 3-1 (25-10, 27-25, 22-25, 25-23) to Milligan College Thursday evening in a non-conference road match. The Cavaliers (2-15) rebounded nicely after a rough first set, nearly taking the second set before claiming the third against the homestanding Buffaloes (18-5). Late runs in both the second and fourth sets helped NAIA and Appalachian Athletic Conference member Milligan overcome deficits to defeat the visiting Cavs.
 
UVa-Wise registered 49 kills in the match, compared to 47 by Milligan, but it wasn't enough as the Buffs made 15 total blocks and dug 61 Cavalier attacks. Twenty-nine attack errors did not aid the Cavs' cause, while Milligan swung .180 for the match and UVa-Wise held an attack percentage of .133.
 
A slow opening set by the Cavs led to the Buffs jumping out to an early 10-1 lead that increased to 15-2. UVa-Wise was only able to manage 10 points in the first set as Milligan claimed it 25-10. The second set proved to be much different with the Cavs building a 20-15 lead after winning seven of eight points during one stretch. Leading 23-17, UVa-Wise saw Milligan storm back and claim 10 of the final 12 points of the set to win it 27-25 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
After trailing 16-9 and 21-16 in the third set, the Cavs battled their way back to win nine of the last 10 points and take the set 25-22. Down 13-9 in the fourth set, UVa-Wise went on a tear to win nine of the next 10 points and take an 18-14 lead. However, the Buffs came back to tie it up at 20 apiece. The Cavs led 23-21 before Milligan claimed four-straight points in order to clinch the match with a 25-23 set win.
 
Senior outside hitter Karley Allen (Lanexa, Va.) and sophomore outside hitter Ciara Kain (Leesburg, Va.) led the Cavs with 14 kills each. Allen also notched 11 digs and two service aces as senior middle blockers Lindsey Tucker (Midlothian, Va.) and Santana Bishop (Gate City, Va.) and sophomore right side hitter Amanda Auxier (Midlothian, Va.) each tallied three blocks. Freshman setter Caitlynn Doss recorded a career-high 44 assists, while senior defensive specialist Erin Anderson made a team-high 16 digs.
 
The Buffs were led by Samanth Bruinius with 17 kills and Marissa Langford with 14 kills. Milligan got a match-high eight blocks from Charlie Bateman as Langford added another five. Ann Grace Moorhouse made a match-high 23 digs for the Buffs, while Kellee Geren assisted on 34 of Milligan's 47 kills.
 
After playing 16 out of 17 matches away from home to begin the season, the Cavs return to Wise Friday to take on West Liberty University. First serve from the David J. Prior Convocation Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
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