Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Des Moines, Iowa – The Cougar Volleyball team defeated their competition today in the final day of the Grand View University tournament today. Columbia defeated Trinity Christian College 25-18, 20-25, 22-25, 25-18 and 15-12 and the University of St. Francis 25-14, 25-21, 19-25, 26-28 and 15-6 to go 2-0 on the day and 4-0 for the weekend. The Cougars, ranked No. 9 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll, are 4-0 on the season.

In their first match of the day against Trinity Christian, Mikah Simpson led the defensive effort with 18 digs while Lydie van Deursen dished out 56 assists. Paula Rosa and Polina Severina pounded down 14 kills apiece.  Brooke Simpson chipped in 17 digs and combined with and Monon Soraru for 26 kills.  Lachelle Purrier had eight blocks and Severina had six.   

The Cougars went on to defeat St. Francis with van Deursen leading the way with 53 assists.  Severina posted 14 kills and five blocks while Purrier had 13 kills.  Brooke Simpson had 14 kills and 19 digs while Sarah Schwentker led the match with 32 digs.

At the end of the two-day competition, Polina Severina was named to the Grand View University All-Classic Team.

Columbia returns to action next week when they host the Hampton Inn Invitational in Southwell Complex.  The Cougars will face Bethel University at 3 p.m. and Robert Morris College at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 29^th. Then on Saturday, August 30^th Columbia will face Benedictine College at 11 a.m. and Indiana University East at 3 p.m.