BLUEFIELD, Va.— After pulling off an impressive come-from-behind Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) win over the Bluefield University Rams on Oct. 4, the Montreat volleyball team hoped to find similar success in the rematch Tuesday night. Unfortunately for Cavalier fans, the recipe for success proved difficult to repeat as the Cavs wrapped up their 8-match road trip with a 3-set defeat. Following the loss, Montreat's record slid to 8-17 (7-10 AAC).
 
In a mistake-filled initial set that featured seven attack errors by both teams, Montreat and Bluefield traded early runs before the Rams ultimately took control midway through the frame. The Cavs got off to a quick start thanks to a Haley Horton kill and a Katie Dickey service ace, but a 4-1 Montreat lead was quickly erased by a 4-0 Rams spurt. Bluefield started to create separation following a trio of Cavalier errors at the midway point (14-9), and another pair of Montreat miscues moved the Rams within just a few points of a first-set victory (21-15). Horton, Kamryn Wolf and Dickey tallied kills to pull the visitors within three, but a pair of service aces coupled with two Bluefield kills clinched the first frame for the hosts, 25-18.
 
Bluefield (18-8, 15-3 AAC) picked up where it left off at the end of the first set, utilizing a series of Cav mistakes and service aces to win the second frame. The Rams registered four aces midway through the set, which, when accompanied by four Montreat attacking errors and three setting miscues, helped the hosts maintain a 17-9 edge on the Cavaliers. Bluefield's attack then started to click late, utilizing five of their 10 second-set kills to win the frame, 25-12.
 
The Rams capitalized on decent attacking opportunities with six kills early in the third, but three Destini Phifer kills—she had six in the frame—helped keep the Cavs within shouting distance as Montreat trailed 11-7 just 18 points into the set. Despite Phifer's attacks, Bluefield immediately responded with a 7-2 run to leap in front by nine (18-9). Shalice Lynch, Wolf and Phifer rattled off kills to momentarily slow down the Rams, but the hosts' best attacking set of the night (16 kills; .400 hitting percentage) proved too much to overcome. Bluefield sealed its 3-set sweep with a 25-17 third-frame triumph.
 
The Rams outhit the Cavaliers Tuesday night, holding edges in both kills (40-29) and hitting percentage (.293-.082). Bluefield also maintained a slim advantage in digs by leading Montreat, 52-47.
 
Phifer and Wolf paced Montreat with seven kills each on the evening. Meanwhile, Reese Davis led the way with 14 assists, and McKinley Edmondson (14) was the only Cavalier to tally double-digit digs.
 
With its 8-match road trip finished, the Montreat volleyball team plays its first home match in 20 days when the Point University Skyhawks visit the Cavaliers on Oct. 28. First serve is slated for 5:30 p.m. inside McAlister Gym.