MONTREAT, N.C.— Continuing its streak of matches at home, the Montreat volleyball team used an individual career high and a total team effort to fend off the Truett McConnell University Bears in four sets. With the win, the Cavaliers improved to 9-10 overall and 5-8 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play.
 
Truett McConnell (10-15, 6-7 AAC) jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in the opening set of play, but the Cavaliers were quick to respond with a run of their own. Rattling off six of seven points, Montreat established its own three-point lead midway through the frame. The hosts used another run late in the set, taking seven of 10 points, to build a lead and hold on for the opening set win, 25-22. Haley Horton led the charge in both of those runs with seven total kills.
 
Montreat was the aggressor early in set two, snagging each of the first four points. Truett McConnell spent most of the set chasing the Cavaliers, but it did momentarily snag an 18-17 advantage after a stretch in which it won six of seven points. The lead was short-lived, as Montreat won eight of the following 10 points to take a two-set lead, 25-20.
 
With its back against the wall, the Bears came out in the third set with a barrage of attacks through the middle. Ranavia Neal and Jordan Roberts, who ended with 15 and 12 kills, respectively, helped keep Truett McConnell's hopes alive. The Bears led the set from beginning to end, hitting .621 and claiming the frame, 25-14.
 
The fourth and final set proved the be the most entertaining of the night, as both sides continued to trade blows back-and-forth. Truett McConnell had the edge late, 24-21, and appeared on the verge of forcing a fifth set. But Montreat never quit and fended off six set points throughout the frame. Truett McConnell wouldn't go away quietly, either. It wasn't until a Taylor Rouse kill earned Montreat its third match-point that the Bears wavered. An attacking error proved to be the decisive point that sealed the set and match in Montreat's favor, 31-29.
 
"I felt like we did a great job offensively today, and even when we were down, we didn't allow that to affect our composure—we were able to push points after the fact," said head coach Haley Paonessa.
 
Horton set a single-game career high in kills, tallying 21 and hitting .348 on 46 total attacks. She also added four service aces.
 
"We all thought it would be a really hard fight, which it was, and I thought we did a really good job pulling it together," Horton said. "Communication and team chemistry has been getting better, and we're really lessening our errors."
 
Katie James led Montreat with 46 assists, and Cambria Bowen did the same with 22 digs.
 
Montreat volleyball returns to the court on Saturday morning against Brenau University. First serve is set for 11:00 a.m. in McAlister Gym.