KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— The Montreat volleyball team used a stalwart defensive effort to battle back from a 2-1 set disadvantage and defeat the Johnson University Royals in five frames. With the win, the Cavaliers improved to 7-9 overall and 3-7 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
 
Both teams traded rallies in a back-and-forth opening set. Behind two kills from both Taylor Coe and Kamryn Wolf, Montreat grabbed an early 6-4 lead, hitting .833 through the match's first 10 points. Johnson (13-10, 4-7 AAC) responded soon after the Cavs' quick start, rattling off four consecutive points to seize an 11-9 advantage. Montreat had an answer, though, and forced a timeout following five-straight points to lead 14-11. The two teams continued to trade blows until Haley Horton powered Montreat's 15^th kill of the set through the Johnson block for the winning point, 25-21.
 
Looking to rebound after dropping the initial frame, the Royals started the second set just like they drew it up, leading 9-4 after 13 points. The Cavs closed to within two points on three separate occasions, but Johnson had a positive response each time the Cavs made a push. Johnson ultimately took the second set, 25-17, evening the match at a set apiece.
 
Riding the momentum of an eight-point set win, Johnson picked up where it left off, scoring four of the first five points. The Royals led the entire third set, growing the lead to as large as eight points within the frame (19-11). Montreat made a late push and got within one point twice, but the Royals made just enough plays to hold on and claim the 2-1 set advantage, 25-21.
 
In a must-win set, the Cavs jumped out to an 8-5 lead via four kills, three Johnson attack errors and a Cambria Bowen service ace. The defense kept the momentum going following a Johnson timeout, as Phifer and trio of Cavs blocked three consecutive points to help build the lead out to 14-7. Montreat dominated the remainder of the frame, hitting .257 and leading by as many as 13 points, to force a winner-take-all fifth set, 25-12.
 
Hungry for the win, Montreat continued its lively stretch of play to start the fifth set. Behind tenacious net defense, the Cavaliers jumped out to a 5-2 lead; however, the hosts had an answer. Five-straight Johnson points quickly tilted the match back in its favor. But, the Cavs continued to battle. Montreat relied on its defensive effort to help force two Johnson errors and leap ahead, 11-8. The separation proved to be enough, and the Cavs took the final set, 15-8.
 
"After staying neutral the first three sets, we were able to play to our Montreat volleyball standard with good defense and a positive hitting percentage," said head coach Haley Paonessa.
 
Wolf led the Cavaliers with 13 kills in the match. Taylor Rouse recorded a season-high 12 kills, while Phifer also hit double-digit kills with 10. Phifer tallied eight blocks defensively. Katie James and Reese Davis totaled 23 and 20 assists, respectively, while Bowen added 24 digs.
 
Montreat volleyball concludes its road trip tomorrow at Union College. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Barbourville, Ky.