Milligan’s women’s volleyball team opened up their season Tuesday night with a conference loss against Kentucky Christian University.
Milligan kept fighting throughout the night, but KCU won all three sets, 25-14, 25-17, 25-18.
Despite the devastating loss the buffs were excited to be back on the court in action.
“I think we all felt a variety of emotions going into today’s game,” said senior Makenzie Simpson. “We’ve been back on campus practicing for a month now and I think we were all excited to get a chance to play against an actual opponent, not just against ourselves in practice.”
Although the buffs were able to play a conference matchup, their game looked different than usual.
The buffs were complying to COVID-19 measures by getting their temperatures checked before they were allowed on the bus and before the actual game. Along with warming up in masks and wearing masks on the sidelines.
“It was for sure a different experience wearing a mask on the sidelines and in warm ups, but we were pretty well adjusted to having to wear them for practice already,” said senior Sydney Hurd who led the team with eight digs and 13 assists throughout the night.
Senior Julia Codispoti thoughts on the game were, “We 100% defeated ourselves tonight,” she said. “Our opponent might have improved from last year, but our mistakes killed us.”
Codispoti had five kills and stated, “Our struggles aren’t necessarily pin-pointed to one thing, though,” she said. “We win as a team, we lose as a team.”
Ultimately the buffs are excited for the remainder of the season and have high hopes and goals for the team.
“One main goal for the rest of the season would be to play with intensity and grit as a team because every game could be our last with the uncertainty of COVID-19,” stated Simpson. “Also, we need to know our specific roles on the team, play hard, and be smart/intentional with everything we do.”
Milligan faces another away conference match-up against Columbia College Saturday at 12 p.m.
Headline photo: Senior Carley Gregory preparing to put the ball in play.