This past weekend, the volleyball team went down to Daytona Beach, Florida to participate in the Embry Riddle Labor Day Tournament. There were a number of talented teams at this tournament including the 2011 NAIA champions Texas University at Brownsville, who are currently ranked first in the nation. The Montreat Cavaliers did not perform as well as they would have liked this weekend. The Lady Cavs finished 1-3 for the weekend.

On Friday, the Cavaliers took on St. Andrews College, who are also a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Cavaliers beat St. Andrews in three games; the scores were 25-10, 25-7, 25-21. Senior, Alyssa Kaufman, led the Cavs with 14 kills and also added 9 digs. Senior, Hannah Bostic, had 8 kills and led in blocking with 3 blocks. Olivia Van Deusen had 18 assists while Danielle Najera added 13 digs for the Cavaliers. Later in the evening on Friday, the Lady Cavs took on #16 Madonna University, and lost in three, 19-25, 9-25, 15-25. Madonna had some powerful hitters that Montreat could not shut down. Montreat played very well during game 1, but slowly lost momentum and could not fully get it back. Hannah Scholz led the Cavaliers in digs, with 10, where Alyssa Kaufman led the Cavs in kills with 6. Olivia Van Deusen, had 13 assists.

Saturday morning, Montreat faced a well-trained team from the University of Northwestern Ohio. The Cavs did not play to their full potential and ended up losing in three (10-25, 29-27, 22-25). Hannah Scholz led the Cavaliers in kills with 6 out of the team's 18 and had 11 digs on defense. Alyssa Kaufman added 4 kills and 14 digs, where Danielle Najera led the defense in digs with 15. Olivia Van Deusen had 13 assists for the Cavs. To wrap up the tournament, the Cavs faced Lawrence Technological University and suffered another loss. The ladies could not finish the close games and lost in 4, (25-23, 28-30, 23-25, 21-25). Scholz played well for the Cavs, leading them with 9 kills and 17 digs. Lauren Owen added 8 kills and 2 service aces. Kaufman had 7 kills, 2 aces, and 12 digs, and Najera added 15 digs. Bostic had 4 blocks for the Cavs and added 6 kills to the stat sheet. Van Deussen had 22 assists and Sara Roth added 7 assists.

The Cavaliers must step up their game for the rest of the season. They have the talent and capabilities to win matches; they just have to believe in themselves and their teammates. The Cavaliers will host St. Andrews College this Tuesday at home. The game will be live streamed on iHIgh and will begin at 7:00 pm.