Columbia, Mo. – The Cougar Volleyball team earned a key conference win over William Woods University tonight, defeating the Owls by scores of 13-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-18, and 15-9. Columbia, ranked No. 13 in this week's NAIA Top 25 poll, improves to 21-4 and 5-2 in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) with the victory. The loss drops the Owls to 14-11 and 5-2 in league play.
In the first set, it was the Owls, taking a dominating 14-8 lead midway through the set. The Owls would go on a commanding 7-0 run to make the score 21-8. The Cougars fought back taking five of the last nine points, but the Owls were able to pick up the first set win with an ending kill by Stephanie Davis.
Columbia led most of the second set until the Owls were able to tie it at 20-20 late in the game. The Owls prevailed after a 5-3 run to take the second set win over the Cougars.
In the third set, the Cougars took a 14-10 lead, after a kill by
Paula Rosa. The Owls would tie it up 15-15. The two squads would meet up at 17-all, but Columbia went on a 4-0 run to gain the lead at 21-17, after a kill by
Polina Severina. The Owls would go on a 5-2 run and were down one at 23-22, after a service error by the Cougars. However, the Cougars would overcome the Owls after two consecutive kills by Severina and Rosa.
Columbia gained control in the third set, as they totaled 17 kills and a match-high attack percentage of .536 while the Owls earned 13 kills and an attack percentage .250.
The fourth set was tied 15-15 before the Cougars went on an 8-2 run and took a 23-17 lead over William Woods. An attack error by the Owls and a kill by
Brooke Simpson would allow the Cougars to take the 25-18 fourth set win, and forced a fifth and final set.
The two squads were tied up 5-5, but Columbia took an 11-6 advantage, after a 6-1 run. The Owls would cut the deficit to four at 13-9, but the Cougars went on for the 15-9 set and match win.
The Cougars finished with 63 kills and 49 digs on the night, led by
Paula Rosa with 17 kills and a match high 13 digs.
Brooke Simpson added 16 kills and ten digs while
Polina Severina contributed 11 kills and five digs.
Lydie van Deursen led all players with 52 assists and contributed seven digs.
The Cougars return to the court tomorrow, October 11
th when they travel to St. Louis Mo. for the Spartan Invitational hosted by Missouri Baptist University. The Cougars will take on St. Catherine College (RV) at 10:00 a.m. and Culver Stockton College at 4 p.m.
