MONTREAT, N.C.— Hosting the Bluefield University Rams inside McAlister Gymnasium Tuesday night, the Montreat volleyball team pulled off an upset on its home court. After dropping the first two frames, but Cavaliers stormed back with three straight sets to beat the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) third-place Rams, 3-2. With the exhilarating triumph, the Cavs improved to 4-11 overall and 3-5 in AAC play.
 
Haley Horton tallied three early kills to give Montreat a slight 6-5 edge in the initial frame, but it was the Rams who eventually created separation. Breaking a 12-12 tie, Bluefield scored seven of the next nine points to find some breathing room. The Cavaliers closed their deficit to 20-17, but five consecutive errors ultimately saw the set go to the Rams, 25-17.
 
Bluefield (11-7, 9-2 AAC) rattled off four straight points to seize a 7-3 advantage in the second set, and the visitors continued to inch their lead out to six points (17-11). Though Montreat made a run and pulled within two at 19-17, the Cavs couldn't get any closer as the Rams' attack proved lethal in the frame. The Rams notched 20 kills in the second set, hitting .410 with a .513 kill percentage in the process to take a two-set lead, 25-20.
 
Both sides went back and forth through the first nine points of the third frame, with Abby Maldonado's first-career service ace pushing the Cavaliers ahead by two (6-4); however, Bluefield immediately responded by registering 11 of the next 13 points to leap in front, 15-8. Despite having their backs to the wall, the Cavs dug deep. A 5-0 Montreat run powered by four kills and a block knotted the frame at 17-17. Then, after the visitors surged ahead to the tune of a 23-18 lead, Montreat scored five of the next six points and survived two match points to bring the sides level at 24-24. Shortly thereafter, a ball-handling error and a Kamryn Wolf kill off the block gave the Cavaliers life, 27-25. Montreat totaled 15 kills in the third, their highest mark of the evening.
 
With momentum squarely on their side, Montreat dominated the fourth frame. Horton, Shalice Lynch and Katie Dickey recorded kills, while Reese Davis' ace handed the initial four points to the Cavs. From there, the lead only grew. One of Lynch's five blocks on the night halted any Bluefield momentum as the Cavaliers coasted to a 25-15 win, forcing one final set along the way.
 
The Cavs saved their most efficient set (.308 hitting percentage) for when it mattered most, but it didn't seem that way early. Four kills on four attacks plus an ace saw the Rams take the frame's first five points. A 4-0 Montreat stretch closed the gap, but Bluefield responded and bolted in front, 11-6. Coming out of a timeout, two serves changed the match's complexion. A BU service error and a Cambria Bowen service ace started a 6-1 Montreat run, and kills by Destini Phifer, Taylor Rouse and Dickey tied the fifth frame at 12-12. Then, after surviving a third match point, the Cavaliers' attack closed the match out. Lynch gave Montreat its first match point at 15-14, Horton handed the Cavs their second match point at 16-15 and Wolf completed the comeback with a kill to win it, 17-15.
 
"I definitely think what turned the tide in this match was playing for each other," Phifer shared. "Thinking about the person next to us, not being selfish and persevering even through the low moments, having confidence that we can trust each other and get back into the game. I think we set a new standard for ourselves and for each other."
 
Five Cavaliers tallied at least eight kills on the night, with Dickey leading the way (17). Phifer and Horton each recorded a season-high 10 kills, while Rouse and Wolf added eight kills apiece. Davis registered 34 assists, and Alivia McNally contributed 19 assists. McKinley Edmondson (21) and Bowen (13) also both reached double-digit dig totals.
 
"It was amazing to see everything come together, see them play together as a team and be fully aggressive the entire time," said coach Brittany Carpenter. "That's what this program is going to be. That's where we want to keep pushing it, and I'm just so proud of these women."
 
The Montreat volleyball team plays Johnson University (Tenn.) for the first of its two homecoming matches this weekend. First serve between the Cavaliers and the Royals is set for Friday at 4:00 p.m. in Montreat, N.C.