Millikin volleyball drops hard-fought five-set match at Greenville

Greenville, IL – Millikin University volleyball traveled to the Panthers of Greenville University for a five-set thriller, fighting to the end but ultimately falling.

The Big Blue dropped the first two sets 25-19, not able to shift the momentum with numerous hitting errors, hitting .143 in the first and improving to .257 in the second.

After 11 ties and nine lead changes, Millikin was able to snag the third set 25-22 to extend the match. Maggye Smith carried the load this set with six kills on .333 hitting. Kyra Carothers and Miley Quade also contributed three kills apiece to help the Big Blue.

Blowing the Panthers out of the water in the fourth set 25-8, the Big Blue hit over .400 while forcing Greenville into the negatives, unable to side out and regain control. This resulted from the team's six service aces, only allowing seven side outs.

Going into the fifth, the match was up for grabs for either team. In an out-of-the-ordinary lineup, the Big Blue were still putting up a fight with their grit and determination. But the Panthers had the greater stat line, outhitting Millikin with a .385 hitting percentage.

Finishing with 19 kills was Smith for a season high, adding five digs and two aces. Carothers hit double digits with 11 kills, seven total blocks and three aces.

Kaitlynn Hartnady absorbed many huge swings by the Panthers, finishing with a total of eight digs, followed by Alyssa Frederking and Isabelle Martinelle with six each. Frederking also had a season high of 32 assists as she rotated all the way around this evening.

Despite beating Greenville in every category at the last whistle, the Big Blue took defeat in the fifth 15-11. Head coach Whitney Nichols expresses that she is proud of the final result no matter what; overcoming adversity is what matters most. The Big Blue have continued to find something positive following each match.

The Big Blue will meet Monmouth College and Ohio Northern University at the net this Friday, September 18 on the first day of the Millikin Invite. Catch Big Blue volleyball in Griswold Center at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., also on the CCIW Network.