COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Montreat College volleyball team opened Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play on Friday evening with a road matchup against the Columbia College Koalas. After dominating the initial set, 25-12, the Cavaliers had to bounce back from a 25-13 defeat to claim the ensuing two frames, 25-21 and 25-23, and to win the contest in four sets. With their first league victory since Nov. 9, 2024, the Cavs improved to 3-4 (1-0 AAC). Meanwhile, CC fell to 2-6 (0-1 AAC).
Both sides traded runs during the early going of the initial frame, with Montreat seizing five of the first six points and Columbia winning the ensuing five points; however, after sitting level at 7-7, the visitors blew the set wide open with a dominant 8-0 spurt.
Josie Leatherman,
Judah Reece and
Bonnie Trautman finished off attacks, while
Carly Setterlind delivered an ace to help power the 15-7 lead. The Koalas couldn't pull closer than within seven points the remainder of the frame, and the Cavaliers clinched the opening set, 25-12.
Montreat's worst attacking frame of the night aided the hosts in punching right back. The Cavs committed 11 errors and hit -.156 during the second set. Coupled with eight CC kills, the Koalas sprinted their way to a 15-6 edge before capturing the frame, 25-13.
Saving its best offense for last, Montreat turned in 17 kills and a .250 hitting percentage in the third set prior to securing 12 kills and a .364 hitting percentage in the fourth and final frame.
Ruthann Stout, Leatherman and
Elizabeth Harrington sparked the attack midway through the third, creating a 12-9 advantage for the visitors. Columbia eliminated its deficit and tied the set at 13-13, but the Cavaliers won eight of the following nine points through kills, errors, aces and a block.
Selma Scott served up a pass for Leatherman to cap off the third frame, 25-21.
The fourth set proved to be a back-and-forth affair. Trautman began the frame with consecutive aces, and
Taylor Shaw helped expand the early edge to 5-2 through an assist and a turn behind the service line. CC battled back, though, scoring the next point and remaining within two until midway through the set. Harrington, Reece and
Maggie Furches recorded kills, and
Isabella Farmer registered an ace during a 4-0 stretch that put the away team in front, 17-13. The Koalas scored eight of the next 10 points in an attempt to keep the match going, however, vaulting ahead of Montreat at 21-19. Despite the late push, Columbia couldn't deter the Cavs from wrapping up an AAC triumph. Three Leatherman kills, a block and a Trautman ace energized the Cavaliers and resulted in a 6-2 run that sealed the set, 25-23.
Montreat tallied a season-high 44 kills and 43 assists on the night, both 10 better than its counterpart. The Cavaliers also ended the match with more digs (43-38) and aces (12-11), as well as a better hitting percentage (.145 to .121).
Harrington swung an outstanding .478 and led the Cavs with a season-high 14 kills, just one shy of her career-best output. Leatherman added 12 kills and a solo block for 13 points. Shaw finished with a career-high 27 assists, two service aces and three digs. Scott also chipped in double-digit assists with 14. Farmer collected a team-best 14 digs and joined
Brittany Jack and Trautman in serving up three aces.
"The team worked for the win tonight," said Head Coach
Cristina Viera. "We were able to ride the waves of the game and close it in our favor. We did a good job bringing our offense back when we needed it most. Now, we turn our attention to our home opener on Tuesday for our next conference match."
The Montreat College volleyball team continues league play on Tuesday, Sept. 15, as it hosts its 2026 home opener against the Truett McConnell University Bears. First serve is slated for 6:30 p.m. inside McAlister Gymnasium.
