Lady Buffs crush VIC

-The Lady Buffs celebrate after earning a point.

-Photo by Andrew Stauffer

Milligan’s volleyball team may be filled with young and inexperienced players, but they still managed to rule over Virginia Intermont College at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on Tuesday night with final scores of 30-26, 30-19 and 30-24.

“They don’t quit and they give 100 percent all the time,” said head volleyball coach Kim Hyatt of this year’s team.

“We have 11 freshmen, only three sophomores and one senior,” said Hyatt. Despite their youth, Hyatt is impressed by their determination and commitment. Freshmen are already showing leadership as newcomer Jamie Sly was the Appalachian Athletic Conference Setter of the Week and the Regional Setter of the Week.

“I was shocked and didn’t expect it whatsoever,” said Sly after the results were announced.

In the first game of the night, the Lady Buffs battled back and forth with the VIC Cobras. For the first part of the game, control bounced back and forth between the two teams. At one point, Milligan managed to grab a six-point lead over VIC, but the Cobras came back from behind to tie the score at 25. Nevertheless, Milligan, who wasn’t willing to give them the win, regained their momentum and won the game with a final score of 30-26. Sophomore Tara Earhart gave Milligan the win with an ace.

“We came in with a really positive attitude and we came out as a team,” said Sly.

Milligan came out strong in the second, pulling ahead to an early lead, 4-0. The Lady Buffs dominated the rest of the game, never sacrificing their lead. At one point, Milligan was ahead by 13 points (25-12). Right at the end, VIC attempted to make a last-minute comeback. They managed to diminish Milligan’s lead to only nine, bringing the score to 27-18. The Cobras’ effort came too late in the game as Milligan recovered their ground and won 30-19.

In the third and final game of the match, the Cobras were given a measure of hope as the Lady Buffs seemed to lose their momentum and drive. VIC attempted to take advantage of this letdown, as control of the game bounced back and forth between the teams with each play.

“When you play so well against an opponent, you take a breather,” said Hyatt. “We need to work on not taking that breath and just playing through the game.”

Milligan’s determination to win managed to pull them back together as a team. In the end, Milligan scored another victory with a score of 30-24.

“I was very pleased tonight,” said Hyatt. “They played together as a team.”

The Lady Buffs’ lone senior Lindsey Wetherholt led the team with three aces. Sophomore Beth Snapp contributed 13 digs, Sly added 33 assists and freshman Amanda Hyder contributed 15 kills.

Tuesday night’s win evens the Lady Buffs record to 4-4 for the season. The team has a big week ahead of them as they head to Bluefield College on Thursday. On Saturday, they host the Milligan Volleyball Tournament where they will compete against Martin Methodist (Tn.) College, Cumberland College (Ky.) and North Greenville respectively.

“We have to concentrate on getting lots of sleep and drinking lots of water to prepare for this week’s games,” said Sly.