CLEVELAND, Ga. (Oct. 2, 2018) – The Truett McConnell University women's volleyball team battled the Montreat Cavaliers to four sets but it proved not enough as the Cavaliers came out on top in an Appalachian Athletic Conference face off in the TMU Bear Cave on Tuesday night (21-25, 25-22, 20-25, 26-28). The Lady Bears fell to 7-13, 2-6 AAC while Montreat improved to 8-13, 4-5 AAC on the year.

SET BY SET | BY THE NUMBERS

TMU's Tuesday night match marked the closest one of the season earning 20 points minimum each set. Game one saw both teams aggressively putting the ball away with the Cavaliers earning 11 kills in comparison to TMU's 10. The lead was tossed back and forth with a game-tying score taking place eight times. After 17-17, Montreat got out front and eventually took the first set on a kill.

The Lady Bears went on to dominate in the second set leading by as much as 10 points after an early 10-0 run. TMU also compiled a total of 14 kills in comparison to Montreat's 10. Though the Cavaliers battled back coming within one point of TMU, Montreat was unable to fully recover as the set-point was won on a Shayla Smith and Abby Maxwell block (25-22).

The Cavaliers responded in game three compiling a total of 17 kills in comparison to TMU's six to take another game out from under the Lady Bears (20-25). The final set was the closest race of the night. Despite Montreat earning the first five points of the set and the Lady Bears trailing the whole way, TMU rallied with a 3-0 run at match point (24-21) to give the Cavaliers a run for their money. However, Montreat sealed the deal (26-28).

LEADERS

Two lady Bears earned double-digit kills. Freshman Bethany Ross led the way with 11 while sophomore Olivia Beasley followed with 10. Ross earned her first double-double of her freshman campaign with 10 digs. Smith added seven and Jordan Henshaw five. Overall, TMU's front row had a superb night blocking. Madison Curtis had four while Beasley and Smith had three. Maxwell compiled a total of 28 assists on the night while Anna Mumpower had 12. Hannah Lee led with 11 digs.

UP NEXT

The Lady Bears are back on the road for two games. TMU will face Allen University on Friday, Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m., and Columbia College on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 11:00 a.m.