Box Score Parkville, Mo. – This afternoon the seventh ranked Columbia College women's volleyball team took on ninth ranked Park (Mo.) University in the AMC Championship match in Parkville, Missouri. The Cougars fell to the Pirates in a 3-1 set (18-25, 18-25, 25-23, 17-25) as the Park Pirates claimed the AMC Championship title.
After dropping the first two sets to the Pirates, the Cougars looked to take some of the control away from Park heading into the third set as they trailed 2-0 in the match. Both sides battled point for point to start the third set as they were tied at 7. The Cougars trailed 13-9 midway through, but coming out of a timeout, Columbia would snap Park's momentum as they went on a 6-1 run to take the lead 15-14. The Cougars were able to keep the momentum on their side just long enough to outlast the Pirates as they won the third set 25-23. Park led 2-1 in the match after three sets.
The Cougars would take command early as they led 4-1 to start the fourth set. But Park wasted no time as they tied the game at 5. As the momentum was on Park's side, the Cougars found themselves trailing 12-6. Columbia did their best to battle back, but they would not be able to overcome the Pirates as they fell 17-25. Park would win the match in a 3-1 set.
Columbia was led by Jordan Wolfe (17), Zori Curry (14), and Caroline Clifford (10) who each recorded double-digit kills. In addition, Yamilet Velazquez (20), Gabriela Walton (18), Caroline Clifford (12), and Johanna Mueller (10) all tallied double-digit digs in the contest, while Yamilet Velazquez also chipped in 44 assists.
The Cougars have already received an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament and will find out who and when they play on Monday, November 13th at 10:00 a.m. when the NAIA announces the tournament brackets.
