King wins 11th straight AAC volleyball title

The King College volleyball team won the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament title for the 11th consecutive season on Saturday afternoon. In a way, this crown may have been one of the most rewarding.

Receiving 24 kills and 23 digs from tournament MVP Ryann Tillman and shaking off a sluggish start, King collected a 21-30, 30-17, 30-27, 30-22 victory over Bryan (Tenn.) College in the title match.

King (25-13) entered the tournament as the second seed, but won all four of its tourney matches in convincing fashion. Many felt the Tornado’s title streak might come to an end after the team started the season looking to replace six starters.

"I know a lot of people had doubts and thought if King was going to have a down year, it was more than likely going to be this year — with a new coach and pretty much a new team," Tillman said. "We worked real hard and tried to improve every practice and every match. I think our hard work showed here today. We gave it everything we had. It feels great to keep it going."

First-year King head coach Chris Toomey also felt a sense of pride – and relief – after the victory. Toomey’s team, which has no seniors, has won 10 of its last 11 matches.

"I am so excited for this group of young ladies," Toomey said. "There’s been a lot of pressure put on them, just because we had won 10 consecutive titles prior to this year … They’ve just continued to imrove and work all season long."

After dropping the first game to third-seeded Bryan (22-14), King methodically hammered the Lions in the final three games.

Freshman Morgan Machen (26 kills) led the way at the net, along with Tillman. Meanwhile, Jennifer Kandt (29 assists) and Daria Wilson (26 digs) also contributed to the victory.

Kandt and Machen joined Tillman on the all-tournament team. The 6-foot Tillman finished with 62 kills in the four matches en route to being voted the top player in the tourney.

"I wasn’t expecting it," Tillman said. "It was great. The whole team played hard and I know I really tried to put every bit of effort into it that I had. It’s such an honor to be chosen out of so many good players and I couldn’t have done it without my team."

Another key for King was the play of versatile junior Katie Fleming.

Playing every position on the court at some point, she finished with five kills, 30 assists, two service aces, 11 digs and a pair of blocks..

"It’s especially crucial when you have a young team like this," Toomey said. "If you need somebody to fill a hole or gap that has been left void, you can call on her to do whatever. It’s nice to have somebody like her."

Bryan had advanced to the title match with loser’s bracket victories over Union (Ky.) College and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise earlier Saturday. UVa.-Wise (22-13) once again received a spirited effort from senior Nathasha Viers. The former Abingdon High School star finished with 16 kills and two service aces in her final collegiate match and was selected to the all-tournament team. Kristen Salyer (10 kills), Britney Lawson (27 digs) and Samantha Puryea (38 assists) were also strong in defeat for the Highland Cavaliers.

As for King, the Tornado will host next weekend’s NAIA Region XII tournament. Members of the team and coaching staff lingered on the court and posed for pictures following the victory.

"It’s awesome," Fleming said. "It’s not like King to have to come from behind. We’re usually on top. But it’s nice to be in that situation and have to prove yourself. We went out here and played some good matches."