GAINESVILLE, Ga.— Brenau University defeated the Montreat College volleyball team in straight sets Saturday morning, winning 25-12, 25-19 and 25-9 in Gainesville, Ga. With the loss, the Cavaliers fell to 0-4 overall and in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play.
 
Montreat began the opening frame with a balanced lineup featuring Cizzie Griffin, Maggie Stewart and Sarah Alderman, among others. The team showed early resilience with Elizabeth Harrington and Alderman securing kills, leveling the score at 3-3; however, Brenau (6-7, 3-2 AAC) capitalized on several Montreat errors and defensive challenges, building a significant lead.
 
Despite a series of setbacks, Montreat managed a late surge thanks to Genesis Hernandez, who delivered consecutive kills and was supported by service aces from Griffin. This offensive push narrowed the gap slightly but was not enough to bridge BU's early advantage. The set concluded with Brenau maintaining the lead, closing out the frame 25-12. The Golden Tigers' efficient attacking was highlighted by a .524 hitting percentage in the first set.
 
Montreat opened the second set with an initial point from a tandem block by Hernandez and Harrington. The Golden Tigers quickly shifted momentum, though, utilizing a series of successful plays to build a 9-3 advantage. The Cavs responded with strategic kills from Harrington and Josie Leatherman, narrowing the gap to 10-7.
 
Brenau maintained control through mid-set, leveraging a series of errors to extend the lead to 15-9. Harrington continued to be effective at the net, registering multiple kills, yet the hosts' service aces and consistent offense pushed them forward. The Cavaliers managed to cut into the lead late in the frame, but Brenau ultimately closed the set with a 25-19 victory.
 
The third set opened with Montreat looking to gain control, but BU quickly established momentum with an early series of points, including back-to-back kills. The Cavs responded as Hernandez registered a kill, which was assisted by Griffin, but a series of errors allowed the home side to build a significant lead.
 
Despite Harrington's attacking efforts, Brenau extended its run, capitalizing on the visitors' service and attack errors. Montreat called a timeout after a service ace to slow the opposition's momentum, but the Golden Tigers widened the gap further. The Cavs managed to pull together a few points, highlighted by Ruthann Stout and Harrington's successful kills, yet Brenau maintained the upper hand.
 
The set concluded with Montreat unable to overcome the deficit, as Brenau sealed the frame 25-9, establishing its triumph in three sets.
 
"We're learning, adjusting and working to find the right equation," said head coach Cristina Viera. "It's a process, and we'll keep pushing through."
 
Griffin recorded 14 assists and added two service aces for Montreat. Harrington contributed eight kills while also participating in a block assist. Hernandez posted four kills and two block assists, along with two digs. Stout delivered three kills on seven attempts, achieving a .286 hitting percentage, and was involved in two block assists.
 
Brenau concluded the matchup with edges in kills (32-20), assists (31-18), digs (29-15), aces (8-4) and blocks (8-3). The Golden Tigers outhit the Cavs by a .407 to -.039 margin.
 
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will host Spartanburg Methodist College in their next volleyball matchup. The contest is set for Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Asheville Christian Academy Gymnasium in Swannanoa, N.C.