MONTREAT, N.C. — The Montreat College volleyball team lost to the Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs in its first five-set match of the season on Saturday afternoon. After dropping the initial two frames, 25-19 and 25-23, the Cavaliers stormed back to take the ensuing two sets, 27-25 and 25-19. However, UCU notched the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) victory inside McAlister Gymnasium with a 15-8 final frame. Following the result, the Cavs' record moved to 4-12 (2-8 AAC), while the Bulldogs improved to 7-12 (4-6 AAC).
Montreat stayed within reach throughout much of the opening set, but Union Commonwealth created late separation to account for the difference.
Bonnie Trautman had two early kills off passes from
Katie Alexander, while
Elizabeth Harrington scored back-to-back points to help pull the hosts even at 6-6.
Maggie Furches added a kill before the Cavaliers tied it again at 10-10. The visitors made several pushes midway through the frame, but
Josie Leatherman, Harrington and
Isabella Farmer helped Montreat respond with kills and a service ace. Furches and
Rafaela Scherer delivered attacks late, but the Bulldogs rattled off the final three points to take the set, 25-19.
Trautman began the second frame with a service ace, and the Cavs pushed themselves out to a 6-3 advantage behind kills from Harrington and Furches, along with a Harrington solo block. The home side continued to hold separation through the middle of the set, getting successful attacks from
Ruthann Stout, Trautman, Leatherman and Scherer, plus a
Taylor Shaw service ace. Montreat expanded its edge out to 18-12 before Union Commonwealth made its move. Winning nine of the next 10 rallies, the visitors converted their six-point deficit into a 21-19 lead. Trautman and Leatherman kills leveled the frame at 22-22, but a block, a kill and an error handed the Bulldogs a 25-23 set triumph.
A marathon third frame enabled Montreat to keep the contest alive. UCU sprinted out to a 10-4 advantage before the Cavaliers snagged seven of the ensuing eight points to tie the score at 11-11. Furches and Leatherman registered kills, while Trautman and Scherer teamed up for a block during the span. Five consecutive points, four of which featured Farmer's service, aided the hosts in moving in front, 19-16. Another Trautman-Scherer block later grew the edge to four at 23-19. Union Commonwealth survived two set points, but Harrington and Leatherman finished off the frame, 27-25.
Riding momentum, the Cavs established an 8-1 lead to kick off the fourth set. Three of those points came courtesy of Trautman service aces, while four included Alexander assists. The Bulldogs didn't let Montreat run away with the frame, eliminating a seven-point gap to knot the set at 13-13. Trautman's response regained the lead, and the Cavaliers never relinquished their edge through the conclusion of the frame.
Allie Anderson's kill, Alexander's ace and
Madysan Mauney's block finished off a 25-19 set.
Playing a decisive fifth and final frame, Leatherman's attack and Trautman's service helped put the hosts in front early, 4-3; however, the Bulldogs fired off five consecutive points and eight of the next 10 rallies to answer their counterparts and create an 11-6 lead. An attack error and a Trautman kill trimmed the gap to 11-8, but UCU won the last four points to clinch the set, 15-8, and the match, 3-2.
Montreat achieved season highs in kills (51), assists (49) and digs (67), but the visitors racked up 59 kills, 55 assists and 71 digs in comparison. Union Commonwealth also accumulated one more service ace (10-9) and a higher hitting percentage (.195 to .120). Meanwhile, the Cavs tallied more total blocks (8-6).
Leatherman led Montreat with 18 points and 17 kills, both career-best marks. She also added two blocks. Harrington finished with 15 kills, matching her personal high in that category, along with 17 points and three total blocks. Trautman added eight kills, five service aces and four total blocks for 15.5 points. Alexander contributed a season-best 28 assists, while Shaw also accrued double-digits helpers (16). Farmer recorded a career-high 15 digs and notched two aces. Anderson dug up 13 attacks on the afternoon.
The Montreat College volleyball team closes out its three-match homestand on Tuesday, Oct. 6, when it welcomes Spartanburg Methodist College to McAlister Gymnasium. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Montreat, N.C.
