MONTREAT, N.C.— Playing its first match inside McAlister Gymnasium in 20 days, the Montreat volleyball team couldn't overcome an early 2-0 set deficit as the Cavaliers ultimately fell in four frames against the Point University Skyhawks Friday night. With the defeat, the Cavs' record now stands at 8-18 overall and 7-11 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action.
 
Point (13-13, 9-9 AAC) claimed a tight first set thanks to a late run and an efficient attacking effort. While the Cavs started the match with a 3-1 lead after Kamryn Wolf and Katie Dickey finished off a pair of Cavalier attacks, the Skyhawks responded just a few points later via a 4-0 run to lead by three (11-8). Destini Phifer helped eliminate the gap and tie the frame at 16 with three kills on five swings; however, Point was sharper on the attack late as it racked up 16 kills while Montreat tallied nine errors in the set. Ultimately, the visitor's .273-.114 hitting edge claimed the initial frame in Point's favor, 25-22.
 
The Skyhawks jumped ahead of the Cavaliers, 13-8, midway through the second as they notched nine early kills. Montreat closed the gap to 16-15 following a trio of Point errors shortly thereafter, but that didn't stop the visitors from finding their groove late for the second consecutive frame. A 9-2 Skyhawk run sealed the set, 25-16, as they improved upon their opening-frame hitting percentage by upping their mark to .324 and their kill percentage to .432.
 
With its back against the wall, Montreat got off to a quick start in the third. Dickey registered three of her seven third-set kills right out of the gate, pushing the Cavaliers out to an 11-3 edge. Point halved its deficit at 13-9, but two more Dickey attacks and two Skyhawk errors reestablished Montreat's eight-point cushion (17-9). Behind a .229 hitting percentage, the Cavs had all the room they needed to force a fourth frame with a 25-17 set triumph.
 
Errors plagued the Cavaliers in the fourth, as nine of the Skyhawks' first 11 points came directly from service and attacking errors. Despite the miscues, Montreat notched five blocks in the frame, keeping it close until late; however, a trio of kills coupled with three points gained at the service line helped the visitors turn the tide and transition their one-point lead (17-16) into a six-point set win (25-19). Thanks to its first, second and fourth-frame victories, Point also seized the match inside McAlister Gymnasium.
 
"We had good moments in this match, but we've got to get to a place of consistent competitiveness—always being ready for the next ball and working to find ways to put it away," said Coach Brittany Carpenter. "We are looking forward to tomorrow where this will be our main focus."
 
Dickey led all attackers with 20 kills, and Wolf added 10 kills of her own. Phifer and McKinley Edmondson paced all defenders with four blocks and 24 digs, respectively, while Reese Davis (28) and Alivia McNally (18) racked up double-digit assists.
 
The Montreat volleyball team plays another home conference contest tomorrow afternoon, this time against the Reinhardt University Eagles. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m. inside McAlister Gym.