KINGSPORT, Tenn.— The ninth-seeded Montreat volleyball team squared off against the eighth-seeded Truett McConnell University Bears Thursday afternoon in the first round of the 2024 WinWon Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Volleyball Tournament. Playing at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn., the Cavaliers couldn't overcome the Bears for a third time this season, dropping the contest in three sets and ending the year with a 9-12 (9-11 AAC) record.
Truett McConnell (14-17, 10-10) controlled the opening frame, jumping out to a 9-5 lead early on. Reese Davis notched a trio of kills to help keep the Cavs close, but the home team on the scoreboard rattled off 11 consecutive points and a 14-1 run overall to pull away. The Bears eventually seized the first set, 25-9.
A 4-0 spurt put TMU on top moments into the second frame, and it never led by fewer than three points the remainder of the set. Davis totaled four kills, and Elizabeth Harrington contributed three of her own, but the visitors on the scoreboard fell on the wrong side of a 25-17 second-set scoreline.
Montreat's best frame of the day came during the third as the Cavaliers hit .132 by limiting their attack errors to just four; however, they weren't the only side to save their best offensive effort for last. Fifteen kills and a .306 hitting percentage powered the Bears to a sweep in the conference tournament's first round. Truett McConnell claimed nine of the final 11 points to end the frame, 25-18.
"This season began with great promise and evolved into a journey filled with unexpected challenges," said head coach Cristina Viera. "Hurricane Helene disrupted our path, but through all of it, this team showed remarkable resilience and drive, maximizing every opportunity and rising to face each obstacle. I am incredibly grateful to the college, our AD Garrett Jones and everyone who helped bring this season to a dignified close."
The Bears led the way statistically with more kills (34-27), assists (31-25), digs (56-52), blocks (9-1) and service aces (9-0). TMU owned the edge in attacking percentage (.271 to .008) as well.
Davis paced the Cavs with 10 kills, while Karly Horn contributed eight and Harrington added six. Katie Alexander registered 15 assists, and Cate Hale accumulated 15 digs.
"I want to acknowledge each player who gave their all despite the difficulties we faced," Viera added. "Your dedication and strength made me proud to be a part of this team. To our seniors, you will be deeply missed, and your legacy will carry on in the foundation you've laid. I look forward to next season, hoping it finds us together once more, united and stronger than ever."
After concluding the year with a 9-12 (9-11 AAC) record, the Montreat volleyball team now enters the offseason with its sights set on 2025.
