MONTREAT, N.C.— Coming off back-to-back defeats, the Montreat volleyball team looked to rebound during Homecoming weekend as the team took on the St. Andrews University Knights inside McAlister Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. With an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) sweep, the Cavaliers improved to 8-6 (5-6 AAC) in 2023.
 
St. Andrews (5-12, 3-9 AAC) grabbed each of the first three points of the match; however, a trio of aces by Kamryn Wolf along with two kills from Katie Dickey and Karly Horn powered a 7-0 run that put the Cavaliers ahead. Though the Knights kept with the home side until midway into the initial frame, Montreat extended its advantage to double digits as a 10-4 stretch capped off by Dickey's second ace (Montreat's fifth) pushed the score to 23-13. Ultimately, the Cavs notched a 25-20 victory thanks to 14 kills from six different players led by Dickey's four kills.
 
In the second set, the Cavaliers demolished SAU behind efficient hitting and serving. Wolf added another trio of service aces in the frame, while her and Dickey each captained the home team with four kills. After leading 9-5, Montreat closed the frame with a 16-3 run that featured a 7-0 finishing stretch as the Cavs went up 2-0 following a 25-8 win. The dominant set triumph was highlighted by a .400 hitting percentage from the hosts (11 kills, one error), while St. Andrews had a mere six kills to go with as many attacking miscues.
 
The visitors jumped out to a 6-4 edge in the third and final frame, but the lead was short-lived. The set consisted of four lead changes and six ties, which ended with the Cavaliers taking an 11-10 advantage toward the middle of the third. Kills from three separate Cavs and Wolf's seventh ace of the match pushed a slim lead out to four (15-11) before the Knights knotted the set at 20 points apiece. Despite the adversity, Montreat concluded the game with a 5-1 run, taking the set 25-21 and the match in 3-0 fashion.
 
Statistically, the Cavaliers held distinct edges in kills (38-23), hitting percentage (.198 to .088), digs (46-44) and assists (37-21). The Cavs also tallied a 13-point swing in the service game, collecting 13 aces to SAU's two, while also committing two less service errors (7-5).
 
Individually, Wolf captained the home side with 13 kills and seven aces. Dickey recorded her fourth double-double of the year with 11 kills and as many digs. Wible, the Cavs' libero, led the team with 15 digs, while Wolf added eight and Katie Alexander contributed with seven. Wolf ended with a career high seven aces.
 
Volleyball begins a 4-match road trip on Tuesday when the Cavs travel to Truett McConnell for another AAC match. First serve in Cleveland, Ga. is slated for 6:30 p.m.