MONTREAT, N.C. (Sept. 6, 2018) – After defeating Montreat College in the first set (25-22), the Truett McConnell University women's volleyball team dropped the next three sets in their Appalachian Athletic Conference opener Thursday evening. The Lady Bears (4-7, 0-1 AAC) fell to the Cavaliers (4-6, 1-0 AAC) in four (25-22), (25-27), (21-25), (17-25).
 
SET BY SET
The Lady Bears got off to a strong start outkilling the Cavaliers 15-11. The game was tied at 15 and 16 apiece and TMU went on to trail until 22-22. The final three points of the set were taken by the Lady Bears while senior Shayla Smith put away the ball to fasten the first conference win in a set of the season (25-22).
 
Similar to the first set, both teams were neck and neck as TMU connected for 14 kills in comparison to Montreat's 15. The score was tied up at 10 different points throughout the game. At 24-24, freshman Bethany Ross had a kill to put the Lady Bears in front (25-24) but it proved not enough as Montreat fed off of the rowdy home crowd to secure their first win of the evening.
 
Set three continued the tight race up until a 4-0 run by the Cavaliers at 13-12 and TMU could not catch back up. The Lady Bears went on to trail no less than three points the rest of the way (25-21). TMU led in game four all the way until 16 apiece and it was only up from there for Montreat (25-17).
 
LEADERS
Smith and Abby Maxwell led for the second match straight. Smith tallied a total of 21 kills while Maxwell added six and compiled 46 assists. Smith also led with six block assists while Olivia Beasley followed with three. Hannah Lee recorded 21 digs and freshman Taylor Roland dug 13.
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Bears will travel to Milligan College to face Milligan at 11 a.m., and Hiwassee College at 1 p.m. TMU will be back on the road Tuesday, Sept. 11, to face Bluefield College at 6:30 p.m.