Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Plainview, Texas-The Columbia volleyball team split a pair of contests on the road today, falling to defending national champion and second ranked University of Texas at Brownsville 3-1 (25-18, 18-25, 25-17, 25-17) in the early match before knocking off No. 11 Wayland Baptist 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-22). The Cougars move to 13-1 on the year with the split.

The Cougars fell behind quick in the first set when the Scorpions had six unanswered points, but Columbia College was able to come back to tie it up 7-7. The two squads battled back and forth but the Scorpions never gave up and were able to take the first set win. Columbia prevailed in the second set never giving the opposing squad a chance for a lead. The Scorpions made a six-point unanswered run, but were never able to get the upper hand on the Cougars. After two hard fought sets, the Scorpions were able to overcome the Cougars picking up the match win.

Senior Brooke Simpson led the Cougar attack with 17 kills while Paula Rosa and Polina Severina recorded double digits with 14 and 10 respectively. Lydie van Deursen led the squad with 37 assists and Mikah Simpson added a team-high 13 digs.

In the second match of the day the Cougars came out dominating the host squad with the sweep. Polina Severina led the Cougars with 12 kills and a hitting efficiency of .579. Brooke Simpson and Paula Rosa each added nine kills while Lydie van Deursen chipped in 31 assists. Mikah Simpson and Rosa combined for 29 digs.

At the completion of the Classic, Cougars van Deursen, Severina and Brooke Simpson were all named to the All-Classic Team.

The Cougars will be back in action Tuesday, September 16 when they take on St. Louis College of Pharmacy in their conference opener for the 2014 campaign. Match time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Arena of Southwell Complex.