Columbia, Mo. – This afternoon the NAIA national office announced the fifth NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 Poll of the 2017 season. The Cougars, who ranked 10th in the last poll that was released on October 17th, moved up three spots to seventh after going 6-1 in their last seven games including a 3-2 set victory over previously fourth ranked Park (Mo.) University.
The Cougars have been playing great volleyball all season long and currently sit second in the AMC behind Park University with a 29-5 overall record and a 9-1 mark in conference play. Columbia College currently ranks in the top 10 nationally in four categories including first in total blocks (323), sixth in blocks per game (2.63), eighth in hitting percentage (0.251), and ninth in total kills (1,571). In addition, they rank 13th in total service aces (230), 16th in total assists (1,423), and 45th in service aces per game (1.870).
The Cougars have been led by Zori Curry who currently ranks sixth in the NAIA in total blocks (142), ninth in blocks per game (1.260), and 23rd in total service aces (52). She also currently sits third on the team with 237 kills while holding a 0.364 attacking percentage. To go along with Curry, Ariadne Borges ranks ninth in the NAIA in total blocks (138), Caroline Clifford ranks 16th in the NAIA in total kills (405), Yamilet Velazquez ranks 34th in the NAIA in total assists (1,037), and Gabriela Walton ranks in the top 50 in total digs (515).
Columbia College is back in action on Thursday, November 2nd when they play host to Central Baptist (Ark.) College Mustangs in an AMC match. This game will serve as senior night for the team and four seniors will be recognized for their efforts on and off the court during their time with Columbia. The senior night festivities will kick off 15 minutes before game time with the match set to start at 7 p.m.
