Columbia, Mo. – The eighth ranked Columbia College volleyball team was back on the court today as they continued play in the 2017 Hampton Inn Volleyball Classic. The Cougars, who swept their two matches on the first day of the tournament, defeated Huntington (Ind.) University in five sets (25-16, 24-26, 22-25, 25-15, 15-9) and then were defeated by the sixth ranked Viterbo (Wis.) University V-Hawks in three straight sets (17-25, 24-26, 22-25). With the split, the Cougars improve to 5-2 on the year.
In the Cougars first match against Huntington, they came out in the first set and were able to take an early 8-4 lead. The Foresters scored the next two points but a 7-3 run gave Columbia a 15-9 lead midway through the game. The Cougars continued to play well as the set progressed and were able to end the game on a 7-2 run to solidify the 25-16 victory and take a 1-0 lead in the match.
In the second set of the match, both sides came out and exchanged points to start the game. The score remained close for most of the set and both sides were deadlocked at 22 late in the game. However, the Foresters were able to close out the game on a 4-2 run and tied the match at one set a piece after winning the game by a final score of 26-24.
After dropping the third set by a final score of 25-22, the Cougars found themselves down 2-1 in the match. Huntington was able to use their momentum from the previous two games and broke out to an early 4-0 lead in the fourth set. Despite being down early, the Cougars battled back and were able to tie the game at seven before going on an 8-3 run to take a five point lead midway through the game. Columbia continued to attack the Foresters and were able to close out the game on a 10-5 run to take the fourth set by a final score of 25-15 and tie the match at two.
In the fifth and final set of the match the Cougars came out and rattled off three straight points to start the game. They were able to follow that with a 5-3 run and held an 8-3 lead midway through the set. After switching sides with Columbia, the Foresters were able to cut the Cougars lead to two after scoring three straight points but a 7-3 run from Columbia solidified the 15-9 victory and their third straight win.
The Cougars were led by Peiyi Liu who had a match high 19 kills and Caroline Clifford added who added 17 kills. In addition, Yamilet Velazquez finished with a match high 48 assists and 15 digs and Gabriela Walton also added 15 digs to round out the top performers for Columbia.
In the Cougars second match against the V-Hawks, Columbia College came out and challenged the sixth ranked team in the NAIA for every point. The score remained close for the first part of the game but with the score tied at eight the Cougars were able to go on a 5-2 run and took a 13-10 lead. However, the lead did not last long as the V-Hawks responded with a 9-2 run of their own to take control of the game. They were able to close out Columbia down the stretch and solidified the 25-17 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
In the second set, the V-Hawks jumped on the Cougars early as they were able to take a quick 9-6 lead in the game. The Cougars battled back and were able to tie the game at 12 but a 3-0 run from Viterbo gave them a 15-12 lead midway through the set. Despite being down, Columbia continued to attack and were able tie the game at 20 late in the set. Both sides exchanged the next few points but ultimately the V-Hawks were able to take the set 26-24 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
In the final set of the match each team started the game matching each other point for point. However, the V-Hawks were able to take the lead midway through the set and never looked back as they held off the Cougars late in the game to take the third set 25-22 to complete the three game sweep.
Columbia College was led by Caroline Clifford who finished with 10 kills and a team high 12 digs. Peiyi Liu also added a team high 13 kills to lead the Cougars attack.
Following the conclusion of the tournament, the 2017 Hampton Inn Volleyball Classic All-Tournament team was announced. For her efforts this weekend, Viterbo (Wis.) University senior middle hitter Natalie Geidel was named the tournaments Most Valuable Player. The rest of the all-tournament team consists of Peiyi Liu (Columbia College), Johanna Mueller (Columbia College), Micki Quakenbush (Olivet Nazarene), Jeslyn Roat (Olivet Nazarene), Cassidy Rammel (Saint Francis), Kate Cobb (Huntington), Marion Couraud (Missouri Baptist), Kristina Medanovic (Missouri Baptist), Amelia Grahn (Viterbo), Katie Frohmader (Viterbo), Maren Mair (Park), and Nada Meawad (Park.)
Columbia College is back in action on Wednesday, September 6th when they travel to Fayette, Missouri, to take on Central Methodist (Mo.) University in a nonconference matchup. The match is set to start at 7 p.m.
