Columbia, Mo. – The third ranked Columbia College volleyball team took the court today as they hosted the 2018 Columbia College Fall Classic. The Cougars played two matches on the first day notching a 3-0 set (25-16, 25-14, 25-16) win over the Bethel (Ind.) College Pilots and then a 3-0 set (25-16, 25-15, 25-16) victory over the Georgetown (Ky.) College Tigers. The Cougars now move to 25-2 on the season.
As the Cougars day began, the match was going point for point. After going back and forth being tied 8-8, Columbia used a 5-0 run to space themselves out taking the 13-8 lead and causing a Pilots timeout. The Pilots had hoped the timeout would halt the Cougar momentum, but Columbia kept their distance as they led 20-13. Set one ended with a 25-16 Cougar win.
Columbia jumped to an 8-3 lead to start the second set. The Pilots called a timeout as they trailed 11-5 in the game. Bethel was struggling to stop Columbia as the Cougars held a 17-7 lead late in the set. Columbia secured the 2-0 advantage in the match after taking set two 25-14.
Much like the second, the Cougars took the early lead 9-3 in the third. Columbia was cruising now as they led the game 17-9 in route of picking up their 21st sweep of the season. The Pilots made a little push, but it was not nearly enough to overcome the Cougars. Columbia snatched the sweep with a 25-16 win to end the match.
Columbia was led by Caroline Clifford (18) and Kiersten Anderson (11) who each recorded double digit kills. In addition, Anderson had 15 digs and Thais Andrade tallied 10 of her own, while Manuela Vargas chipped in 42 assists in game one.
In the second match of the day, the Cougars took on the Georgetown College Tigers. The match was kept close to start out as Columbia led 6-4. The Tigers called a timeout as they trailed 8-4. As the first set progressed, the Tigers remained not far behind. Columbia was then able to go on a run taking a 19-11 lead, however the Tigers climbed back in a bit, making it 20-15. The Cougars were able to hold Georgetown off late, to grab a 25-16 win in set one.
Columbia was full of energy after set one as they led 8-3 in the second. Midway through the Cougars led 14-7 causing another Tiger timeout. Columbia continued to control the game with a comfortable lead. Set two was quickly closed out with a 25-15 score, Cougars on top.
Momentum was in the Cougars favor as they lead 5-1 early. The Tigers would cut the score 5-4, but Columbia was able to stay in the lead, 11-6, as the game continued. The Tigers kept battling, but the Cougars were too much to handle as they notched their second sweep of the day 25-16.
Columbia was led by Pamela Jaime who tallied 10 kills. In addition, Thais Andrade led the team in digs with eight, while Manuela Vargas recorded 31 assists to end the night.
The volleyball team is back in action tomorrow, Saturday, October 13th when they continue play in the 2018 Columbia College Fall Classic. They are set to play against the 23rd ranked Montana Tech Orediggers at 11 a.m. and then again at 3 p.m. against the John Brown University (Ark.) Golden Eagles.
