Columbia, Mo. – Tonight the Columbia College volleyball team took on the 11^th ranked MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers in a non-conference matchup. The Cougars were able to defeat the Pioneers in three straight sets (26-24, 25-19, 25-23) to improve to 9-8 on the season.

The first set was a tight one as both teams exchanged points throughout the entire game. With the score tied at 24, the Cougars were able to pick up two straight points, including a kill from Peiyi Liu, to take the set 26-24. Eirini Chatziefstratiadou led the Cougars with five kills on seven attempts in the game. Columbia College used their momentum from the first set and jumped out to an early 5-1 lead. They were able to hold off the Pioneers attack for the remainder of the set and took the game 25-18. Liu had six kills in the set including the final kill to finish off the Pioneers.

The third set was very similar to the first, as both teams exchanged points early in the game. With the score tied at 18, the Cougars were able to go on a 4-1 run and break away from the Pioneers. Columbia College took the third set by a score of 25-23 to complete the three game sweep. The Cougars were led by Peiyi Liu who had a match high 15 kills on 26 attacks and Sashiko Heredia who had 37 assists in the match.

Prior to the match, Columbia College honored Melinda Wrye-Washington as the newest member of the Wall of Honor. The Eldon, Missouri, native came to Columbia College in the fall of 1994 in order to complete her academic and volleyball career.  Under the guidance of Wayne & Susan Kreklow, Melinda had one of the greatest individual seasons in Columbia College history.  Minnow as she was affectionately nicknamed, led the team with 731 kills, which to this day stands as the 3rd highest single season total.  It was also 417 more kills than the next closest teammate. She led the team in aces and digs showcasing her all-around talent.  Those marks are still good for the 2nd and 3rd best single season total in Cougar history. 

With Melinda on the court, along with Sam Mentz, Amy Mesh and others, the Cougars put together an impressive 40-19 campaign.  They won the AMC tournament and finished in 2nd place in the Midwest Region which earned the Cougars their first ever bid to the NAIA Volleyball National Tournament.  For her efforts, Minnow was named 1st Team All-Conference, American Midwest Conference Most Valuable Player, 1st Team All-Region and the first ever NAIA 1st Team All-American in Cougar Volleyball history.

In 2000, she was named head coach for her alma mater.  In her 17 years at the helm, Melinda has put together one of the most decorated coaching resumes in all of college volleyball.  She has a record of 621 wins with only 95 losses, while leading her teams to seven National Championship games and winning two of them. 

The Cougars are back in action tomorrow night when they take on Harris Stowe State (Mo.) University in an AMC matchup in Columbia. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Southwell Athletic Complex.