Marshall, Mo. – This evening the 14th ranked Columbia College women's volleyball team traveled to Marshall, Missouri to take on the Missouri Valley College Vikings in a nonconference matchup. The Cougars swept the Vikings in a 3-0 set (25-20, 27-25, and 25-12). Columbia starts the season off with a 1-0 record.
As the game began each team was going point for point. Neither team could find any early separation as it was tied 8-8. While the Cougars settled in, they went on a 6-1 run to take a 14-9 lead about midway through the first set. The Vikings were not going away just yet as they went on a small run of their own and hung in there as the Cougars led 18-16. The game was kept close as Columbia was up 20-18 causing the Vikings to call a timeout. The timeout did not phase the Cougars as they went on to close out the first set 25-20.
In the second set the Vikings took the early 4-1 lead. As the game progressed, the Cougars remained not far behind. Midway through Columbia tied the game at 12 apiece. The Vikings quickly took back the lead 15-12. Despite cutting the lead to one, two separate times, the Cougars could not get over that bump. The Vikings remained in control as they led 19-16 late in the game, this time forcing Columbia to call the timeout. Coming out of the timeout the Cougars were able to rally back cutting the score 22-20. Once again, Columbia would tie the game 22-22, but still unable to snag the lead as the Vikings took the one point lead right back. With the set tied 23-23, the Vikings would take a timeout as the Cougars were showing they would not be put away easily. Columbia would take its first lead of the game in the final moments as they led 24-23. As the pattern continued, the game would be tied up 24-24 and another timeout called. Down the stretch each team would go point for point, with the Cougars taking a 26-25 lead. Columbia was able to pull out a 27-25 victory to hold a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Cougars carried over their late momentum from set two as they took a 6-1 lead to start the third set. Columbia remained in control leading 13-5 midway through. Looking to close out the match the Cougars led 19-8 late in the game. The Vikings were unable to come back from their deficit, as Columbia solidified a 25-12 win to take the match in three sets.
Columbia was led by Caroline Clifford (14) and Ariadne Borges (11) who each recorded double digit kills. In addition, Thais Andrade had 20 digs, while Manela Vargas chipped in 34 assists on the night.
The Cougars will take the court on Tuesday, August 28th as they face the Westminster College Blue Jays in a nonconference matchup. The home opener is set to start at 7:00 p.m. in Southwell Complex.
