BLUEFIELD, Va.— The Montreat women's volleyball team started a three-match road trip on Tuesday night, falling in three sets to the Bluefield University Rams. With the defeat, the Cavs dropped to 6-9 overall and 2-7 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
 
Bluefield (13-7, 9-2 AAC) controlled the opening set from the very first serve. The Rams took the first two points and quickly doubled up the Cavs, 8-4. Bluefield never trailed in the contest's initial frame, building its lead out to seven points (18-11) in the flow of play. Ultimately, behind a .235 first-set hitting percentage, the hosts strong opening effort resulted in a first set win, 25-17.
 
Montreat bounced back early in the second set, jumping out to an early 4-2 advantage. However, the hosts quickly regained momentum, rattling off five consecutive points to snag a 7-4 lead. Using the sudden momentum shift, Bluefield maintained a four-to-five-point advantage throughout the second set. Thanks to a .282 set hitting percentage, the Rams led the remainder of the frame, seizing a two-set advantage with a 25-16.
 
In similar fashion to the previous set, Montreat leapt out to a quick lead in the third frame, 4-1. The Cavs held that lead until the set's 24^th point; behind three errors and a service ace, Bluefield knotted the set at 12. From there, both teams exchanged points back and forth until the Rams rattled off a four-point spurt behind Leslie Flores and Lauren Sotomayor kills to grab a 23-19 lead. Montreat made a last-ditch push, but the Rams' margin of error was large enough to hold off the Cavs and earn the sweep, 25-21.
 
"Despite trying to change our rotation each set, we just couldn't seem to find anything to help our side of the net click," said head coach Haley Paonessa.
 
Flores led all attackers on the night with 18 kills, hitting .283 in the process. Aubri Whatcott totaled 33 assists, and Georgia Lewis tallied 17 digs, both match-highs on the night.
 
The Cavs were led on the attack by Taylor Rouse's five kills. Cambria Bowen and Reese Davis led Montreat in digs and assists with 14 and 10, respectively.
 
Montreat volleyball continues its road trip on Friday night in Knoxville, Tenn. at Johnson University. First serve is slated for 6:30 p.m.