Box Score

Sioux City, Iowa – Tonight the ninth ranked Columbia College volleyball team was back in action as they continued pool play in the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championships. The Cougars, who improved to 1-1 in pool play after defeating the Tabor (Kan.) College Bluejays in four sets last night, fell to the eighth ranked Grand View (Iowa) University Vikings in a 3-1 set (21-25, 18-25, 25-23, 19-25) to end their season. The Cougars finished the season with a 34-8 record.  

After dropping the first two sets to the Vikings, the Cougars looked to bounce back as they trailed 2-0 in the match. The Vikings took the early 7-3 lead over the Cougars to start the third set. Columbia cut the Vikings lead to two, but Grand View would go on a 3-0 run to extend their lead 10-5. The Cougars battled as they cut the lead 14-13 midway through. As the set progressed, the Cougars were able to tie it up at 16. Columbia was then able to use a 5-2 run to take the lead 21-18 late in the game. The Vikings quickly came back cutting the Cougars lead 21-20. It was neck and neck down the stretch, but Columbia was able to secure the final points to win the third set 25-23. The Cougars trailed 2-1 in the match heading into the fourth set.

The Cougars took an early 4-1 lead to start the fourth set. The Vikings came storming back as they took the lead 6-5, but Columbia would tie it right back at 6-6 early. As the set continued, it was very tight but Grand View was able grab a little space as they led 14-10 midway through. The Cougars battled, but Grand View would be too much for them to handle as Columbia fell 25-19 in the fourth set. The Vikings would win the match in a 3-1 set.

Columbia was led by Zori Curry and Jordan Wolfe who each recorded 14 kills. In addition, Gabriela Walton (19), Pamela Jaime (12), Jordan Wolfe (10), and Johanna Mueller (10) all tallied double-digit digs. Selina Merfol recorded 28 assists, while Yamilet Velazquez added 15 assists to round out the top performers for the Cougars.