Box Score Columbia, Mo. - The Cougar Volleyball team earned a key conference win over 14^th-ranked Park University on Friday night, defeating the Pirates by scores of 26-24, 21-25, 25-21, and 25-18. Columbia, ranked No. 22 in this week's NAIA Top 25 poll, improve to 19-9 and 7-1 in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) with the victory. The loss drops the Pirates to 27-4 and 6-1 in league play.

The Cougars used a 4-0 run midway through game one to grab a 13-9 lead following a pair of service aces by Paula Rosa. With Columbia holding a 24-21 advantage, Park reeled off three straight points to tie the set at 24, but a kill by Trinity Ojo and an attack error by the Pirates gave the Cougars the 26-24 opening game win. The second game of the match was tightly contested throughout once again as the score was tied at 21 late in the set. However, Park would prevail with four straight points to even the match at a game apiece. Much like the first two sets, game three saw neither team gain any sort of separation. With the score tied at 16, Columbia took advantage of a pair of ball-handling errors by the Pirates to take the lead for good on their way to a 25-21 victory and 2-1 lead in the match. Trailing 13-11 in game four, the Cougars went on a 5-0 run to take the match with a 25-18 win.

Columbia tied a season-high with 68 kills on the night, led by 21 from Rosa and 16 from Sarah Schwentker. Lydie van Deursen dished out a match-high 58 assists and Erin Pavlin led all players with 19 digs. Wanessa Siqueira had 27 kills to lead Park.

The Cougars will be back in action next week when they host Benedictine University of Springfield on Monday, October 28^th. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Arena of Southwell Complex.