SWANNANOA, N.C.— The Montreat College volleyball team suffered a 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) defeat at the hands of the Bluefield University Rams Tuesday evening at ACA Gymnasium. With set scores of 25-21, 25-23 and 25-20, the Cavaliers dropped to 0-14 (0-14 AAC) on the year, while Bluefield improved to 9-9 (5-9 AAC).
 
Montreat kicked off the first set with an early exchange of points, highlighted by Elizabeth Harrington's kill to capture a 2-1 lead. The team briefly gained momentum when Maggie Stewart delivered a service ace, putting the Cavs ahead 5-4. However, the Rams responded with a series of points, aided by back-to-back errors as they recaptured the lead.
 
The hosts kept the set competitive, with contributions from Josie Leatherman and Ella Rose Livingston maintaining a tight scoreline. Despite a late push that included kills by Ruthann Stout, BU capitalized on a sequence of miscues to extend its edge up to 20-16. The Cavaliers called two timeouts down the stretch to regroup, but the Rams closed the frame with a 25-21 triumph.
 
Montreat fought to regain momentum in the second set after an early 4-0 run by Bluefield. Despite facing an uphill battle, the Cavs answered with key attacks from Sarah Alderman and Leatherman, closing the gap to 7-4. Four Leatherman kills, three of which were assisted by Cizzie Griffin, across a five-point stretch helped the home team chip away at the visitors' lead, eventually tying the score at 16-16.
 
In a tense back-and-forth exchange, the Cavaliers briefly took the lead at 17-16 following two consecutive errors. The frame continued with both teams exchanging points, but the Rams managed to pull ahead in the final moments. A late kill sealed the set, with Montreat experiencing a narrow 25-23 loss.
 
Attempting to keep the match alive, the Cavs began the third frame with Harrington contributing a kill to combat an early service ace from Bluefield. Moments later, Montreat capitalized on a series of errors by the Rams to edge ahead 5-3, with Brittany Jack influencing the momentum through her service. However, BU reclaimed the lead, fueled by effective kills that eventually resulted in a 9-6 advantage.
 
Despite a timeout, the Cavaliers' attempts to trim the deficit were met with consistent opposition, as Bluefield maintained the lead through a balance of successful attacks and capitalizing on mistakes. Down 24-16 and facing match point, the Cavs managed a late push, rattling off four straight points to create doubt in Bluefield's mind. Unfortunately for the home team, the surge wasn't enough to overturn the Rams' strong play, and the frame concluded with the visitors winning 25-20.
 
"We came into tonight's match determined to write a new chapter, and while the scoreboard doesn't reflect our potential, I'm proud of how we battled, stayed together and showed the team we're becoming," said head coach Cristina Viera. "Now it's time to rest, recover and bring that same fire tomorrow."
 
On the night, BU owned the edge in kills (42-28), assists (39-25), hitting percentage (.267 to .112), service aces (5-2) and blocks (3-0). Montreat notched one more dig than its counterpart (40-39), and it committed 10 fewer service errors (18-8).
 
Leatherman led the offensive effort with 11 kills to accompany her .364 hitting percentage and four digs. Harrington contributed seven kills with a hitting percentage of .222. Allie Anderson was active defensively, recording a team-best 14 digs. Griffin distributed the ball effectively, tallying 16 assists. Stewart and Isabella Farmer each registered an ace behind the service line.
 
The next challenge for the Cavaliers takes place tomorrow morning at ACA Gymnasium in Swannanoa, N.C., as they host the University of Pikeville Bears. The match is set to begin at 11 a.m.