Box Score Columbia, Mo. - The Cougar volleyball team earned a big win over 17th-ranked Missouri Baptist University on Tuesday night in a matchup of two of the top teams in the American Midwest Conference (AMC). Columbia, ranked 22^nd in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll released on Tuesday, defeated the Spartans 3-0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-23) to improve to 14-4 overall on the year and 4-1 in conference play. The loss drops Missouri Baptist to 20-2 overall and 7-1 in league action.

Neither team was able to gain separation in the opening game as the Cougars battled back from a 19-16 deficit to tie the score at 20. With Missouri Baptist leading 24-23, Columbia closed the game on a 3-0 run, which included back-to-back kills by Sarah Schwentker for a 25-24 advantage. The Cougars carried their momentum into the second game of the night and jumped out to a 12-4 lead. Columbia never looked back from there, taking their largest lead at 22-9 before closing out the game 25-14. Paula Rosa had six kills to lead the Cougar attack in game two. The Spartans jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the following game, but a 6-0 run by Columbia evened the score at 10-10 midway through the set. The two squads battled to a 23-23 tie from that point, but the Cougars would prevail once again with back-to-back kills by Ojo and Carol Berger to claim the match.

Columbia finished with 58 kills and a .450 hitting percentage on the night, led 13 kills from Ojo and 11 each from Rosa and Schwentker. Setter Lydie van Deursen dished out a match-high 43 assists and five different players had at least seven digs for the Cougars. Missouri Baptist was led by Maddy Hammack with 12 kills.

Columbia will be back in action tomorrow night to host AMC opponent Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University. Match time is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Arena of Southwell Complex.