COLUMBIA, S.C.— The Montreat College volleyball team dropped a four-set Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) road match to the Columbia College Koalas Tuesday evening at Godbold Center. With set scores of 17-25, 25-18, 25-14 and 25-17, the Cavaliers fell to 0-17 (0-17 AAC) on the year, while the hosts improved to 4-21 (4-12 AAC).
 
Riding a .346 hitting percentage, the visitors managed to seize the initial set in Columbia, S.C. Montreat opened the first frame with a strong start, quickly taking a 2-1 lead following consecutive attack errors. The squad built momentum with a kill from Genesis Hernandez, which was assisted by Cizzie Griffin, and a service ace by Elizabeth Harrington, pulling ahead 5-2. Columbia managed to tie the score at 5-5, but the Cavs responded with a series of successful plays, including another attack error from Columbia and a Harrington kill, to regain the edge at 10-9.
 
As the set progressed, Montreat capitalized on CC's miscues and built the lead up to 15-11, highlighted by Harrington's fourth kill of the frame. The Cavaliers maintained control with a service ace from Harrington and additional kills by Sarah Alderman and Ella Rose Livingston. Despite a late push from the Koalas that trimmed the gap to 18-16, the Cavs answered with a 7-1 spurt to close out the set at 25-17.
 
The second frame began with Columbia establishing early control through a series of service aces and kills, opening a 6-0 lead. Montreat responded with kills by Harrington and Maggie Stewart, as well as a service ace from Griffin, to halve the distance between the two sides. Another surge from the visitors, highlighted by multiple attack errors, brought the score to an 11-11 tie, prompting a timeout from the hosts.
 
Despite the Cavaliers' efforts to stay within reach down the stretch, the Koalas cashed in on errors and executed key kills to regain the lead. The visitors managed to cut the deficit to 15-13 after Allie Anderson's service ace, but Columbia's consistent attack, as well as a late 6-2 run, extended the edge. The set concluded with the Koalas taking it 25-18.
 
Montreat started the third frame looking to shift momentum back in its favor, but Columbia swiftly established control with a series of kills and four of the initial five points. Following a timeout at 7-2, the Cavs responded with a small rally, highlighted by Hernandez's efforts that helped trim the gap to 7-5. However, the Koalas continued to apply pressure, opening the scoring disparity further to 11-8 with a sequence of aces and kills.
 
Midway through the set, Harrington and Sophie Duckworth managed key blocks, briefly shrinking the deficit down to 14-9. Yet, CC maintained an offensive advantage, expanding its lead to 19-11. Montreat's attempts to close the gap saw Karly Horn and Alderman finding opportunities, but the hosts held steady. Despite a late kill from Ruthann Stout, Columbia's strong execution secured the frame with a 25-14 result.
 
Kicking off the fourth set with an early lead, the Cavaliers capitalized on a service error and a kill from Harrington, moving in front 2-1. The home team responded with a series of points, though, allowing it to edge ahead 5-4.
 
Montreat recaptured momentum with a Duckworth kill and a Shaw service ace. However, a series of attack errors allowed the Koalas to establish an 11-8 lead. Harrington and Stewart tried to help the visitors battle back as a blocking duo, but the Cavaliers couldn't fully erase their deficit. Taking advantage of the opportunity at hand, Columbia sealed the match with kills on six of the set's final nine points. In the end, the Koalas claimed the frame with a score of 25-17.
 
On the night, CC maintained the upper hand in hitting percentage (.192 to .126), kills (53-34), assists (49-34) and service aces (10-6). The Cavs notched more blocks (5-1) and digs (49-48) than their counterpart.
 
Harrington led the team with eight kills, four block assists and two service aces. Griffin contributed a squad-best 18 assists and one ace over four sets. Anderson was a defensive standout, recording 17 digs while also adding three assists. Stewart posted six kills on a .357 hitting percentage and assisted on one block. Shaw tacked on 12 helpers to aid the offensive effort.
 
In its next matchup, Montreat hosts the Reinhardt University Eagles on Friday, Nov. 7 at ACA Gymnasium in Swannanoa, N.C. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.