Milligan College Buffaloes

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TENN. (Sept. 15, 2007) --- The Lady Buffs spilt on parent's day, beating North Greenville University in three games and losing to the University of the Cumberlands in five. The Lady Buffs hosted both teams in Steve Lacy Fieldhouse at the Milligan College tri-match.

The first match of the afternoon was against the Lady Crusaders of North Greenville University. The first game, the closest of the three, was won with a final score of 30-23. The Lady Buffs kept up the intensity in the second game beating the Lady Crusaders 30-20. As North Greenville was on the verge of defeat, they could not pull through with the Lady Buffs winning 30-19.

Freshman Erin Biddle (Newport, Tenn.) had a huge match for the Lady Buffs against the Lady Crusaders tallying 28 assists, 10 digs, and three aces. Freshman Ashley Welch (Waynesville, N.C.) led the team in kills with 15 while senior Amanda Hyder (Johnson City, Tenn.) had five. Helping Biddle with digs was freshman Ellyn Sapp (Johnson City, Tenn.) with 15 and junior Christy Degen (Atlanta, Ga.) with 12. Also aiding the defensive effort was freshman Emilee Hale (Morristown, Tenn.) with four blocks.

The match-up between the Lady Buffs and Lady Patriots of the University of the Cumberlands was evenly matched. The Lady Buffs won the first game handily with a final score of 30-17. The Lady Patriots controlled most of the second game, but the Lady Buffs made a comeback, battling from as much as a 12 point deficit. The Lady Buffs tied up the game at 28, but the Lady Patriots scored the final two points of the game. The next game belonged to the Lady Patriots with a score of 30-21. In the fourth game, the Lady Buffs regained their focus and rallied after two straight loses to win 30-25. The tie breaker game was just as close as the other four, but this one belonged to the Lady Patriots with a score of 15-12.

“The Cumberland game was very close, but we got too relaxed in the second game,” said Milligan College Coach Kim Hyatt. “We tightened it up though and won the fourth game which really shows maturity and our ability to play smart.”

Biddle racked up another double-double in the second game of the afternoon with 50 assists, 14 digs, and three aces. Receiving some of Biddle's assists were Welch, converting them into 18 kills, and Hyder with 15 kills. Also on the offensive side, senior Alison Slagle (Bristol, Tenn.) had three aces.

Welch also helped on the defensive side with five blocks, while sophomore Meredith Lynch (Lexington, Ky.) had six. Senior Alyssa Graber (Montgomery, Ind.) led the way in digs with 41. Also contributing in digs was Degen with 28, Hyder with 25, and Sapp with 14.

“I was very pleased with the team's efforts on both offense and defense this afternoon in both games,” said Hyatt. “Everyone got some playing time today and did well, which really shows our depth as a team.”

The Lady Buffs play host to conference rival King College Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 6:30 p.m. in Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.