By: Taylor Valentine
The Steve Lacy Fieldhouse was packed Wednesday night as fans cheered on the Buffalo Volleyball team as they took on the Union Bulldogs.
The Buffaloes entered the game with great energy and a bittersweet taste in their mouths. Last season the Union Bulldogs bumped out the Buffaloes in the AAC Championship.
In the first set, the Buffaloes pulled away early, but were unable to hold off the Bulldogs as Union took the first set by a score of 28-26.
Milligan rallied in the second set as they overcame an early deficit to take the set 25-18. The Buffaloes came up short, 25-15, in the third set and 25-19 in the decisive fourth set.
Overall, the Buffaloes fell short to Union 3-1.
“We came out with great intensity and fire that got us out to an early lead, but we just didn’t finish,” said head coach Doneva Bays. “We had moments where we played really well, but when you play good teams, you cannot have so many unforced errors.”
Morgan Rutledge (Kingsport, Tenn.) recorded 20 digs and six kills with two solo blocks. Chelsea Spivey (Gate City, Va.) had 32 assists, 12 digs and seven kills, while freshman Rachel Renville (Broomfield, Colo.) had a team high 11 kills.
Kylie Whaley (Maryville, Tenn.) and Kendra Fiddler (Colorado Springs, Colo.) recorded 10 and seven kills, respectively. Katelin Henson (Kingsport, Tenn.) ended the game with 20 digs.
With the loss, the Buffaloes fall to 2-9 overall and 1-1 in the AAC.
The Buffaloes return to action on Thursday, Sept. 15, when they travel to Tennessee Wesleyan. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
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