Columbia, Mo. – This afternoon the 14th ranked Columbia College women's volleyball team took the court on day one of the Hampton Inn Classic. In their first match of the day they faced the Taylor University Trojans. The Cougars swept the Trojans (25-12, 25-16, 25-15). In match two, Columbia upset the number one ranked Lindsey Wilson College Blue Raiders in a 3-2 set (25-18, 24-26, 22-25, 25-17, 16-14). Columbia improves to a 4-0 record.
Columbia got off to a strong start as they led 7-2 to begin the match against the Trojans. The Cougars were in control with a 12-4 lead forcing the Trojans to call a timeout. As the set progressed the Trojans were struggling to handle the Cougars as Columbia led 19-8. The Cougars wrapped up set one with a 25-12 victory.
To start set two Columbia again took the early 4-1 lead, but this time the Trojans quickly came back cutting the score 5-4. The Cougars were able to get some separation back leading 10-6. The separation did not last long as the game was cut back to one again, 10-9. Midway through Columbia was on top 14-10 as the Trojans called a timeout, trying not to let the Cougars slip away. After the timeout, Columbia used a 5-2 run to lead 19-12. The Cougars closed out the game 25-16 to lead the match 2-0.
Columbia started the third set on a 5-0 run before the Trojans were able to get on the board. The Trojans worked their way back in the game as they trailed 11-7. The Cougars went on a 4-1 run to hold a 15-8 lead as the game continued. All control remained in the Cougars hands with the score 20-12. Columbia took care of business as they locked in set three 25-15 to sweep the Trojans.
In game one of the day Columbia was led by Barbara Sabino who recorded nine kills. In addition, Thais Andrade had 13 digs, while Manuela Vargas tallied 32 assists in the match.
The Cougars were taking on the number one ranked Blue Raiders in game two of the day. As the match began Columbia had the hot start as they led 5-2 early. The Blue Raiders were looking a little frazzled as they called a timeout with the Cougars leading 10-5. Columbia continued their run, making it 14-6, as the fans were electric here in Southwell. The teams found themselves tied up at 17 each. Columbia went on a 3-0 run to lead 20-17 as the Blue Raiders called another timeout. The Cougars run was not rattled by the timeout as the score was 23-17. Columbia secured a 25-18 win to go up 1-0 in the match.
The Cougars were feeling the energy in the gym as they led 7-3 in the second set. Momentum was on Columbia's side as they led 13-7. The Cougars were firing on all cylinders leading the game 18-10. Lindsey Wilson began to close in as it was 18-15. The Blue Raiders cut the score to two and Columbia would call a timeout to regroup. The game was tied up 18-18 as the Cougars were trying to keep their spark alive. Each side was battling point for point. Down the stretch, Lindsey Wilson led 23-22. Columbia tied the game up at 24 in the final moments, but would fall 26-24. The match was tied 1-1 heading into the third.
The third set was back and forth as it was tied at four to start. Neither team could grab any space while Columbia led 11-10. As the match continued, the teams remained neck and neck. Late in the set, still no separation as it was 18-18. Lindsey Wilson led 20-18, but the Cougars quickly tied it back up at 20. The Blue Raiders took back the two point advantage 22-20, but Columbia stayed right there only down by one, 23-22 as Lindsey Wilson called a timeout. The Blue Raiders would take set three by a score of 25-22. The Cougars trailed 2-1 in the match.
Columbia was able to snag some breathing room in the fourth set as they held an 8-2 lead, forcing an early Blue Raider timeout. The Cougars were clicking as they continued to run the score leading 14-3. Lindsey Wilson did not quit, but were struggling to take some momentum from the Cougars who led 18-12. Late in the fourth the Cougars remained ahead, 22-16, as they were looking to tie the match at two apiece. Columbia would force a fifth set as they took the fourth with some edge 25-17.
The intensity was high as the fifth set was underway. It was quickly tied 5-5. The Cougars held the two point advantage 8-6 midway through. The Blue Raiders closed back in cutting the score 9-8, but the Cougars came up with a huge block to take back the two point lead 10-8. The game was tied at 11 with the fans on their feet. A timeout was called as the Cougars led 12-11. The game was once again tied at 13 and with another big block the Cougars held the 14-13 lead. In the final points Columbia was up 15-14. The gym erupted as Columbia took the final set 16-14 winning the match. With a packed house behind them, the Cougars knocked off the number one ranked Blue Raiders in five sets.
Columbia showed a great team performance as four players including Caroline Clifford (17), Pamela Jamie (13), Barbara Sabino (11), and Ariadne Borges (11) all recorded double digits kills. In addition, Thais Andrade (19), Clifford (14), and Manuela Vargas (12) tallied double digit digs. To round out the night, Vargas had 52 assists in the upset.
The Cougars will resume play tomorrow, Saturday September 1st, when they face The Master's University Mustangs at 11 a.m. and the fourth ranked Viterbo University V-Hawks at 5 p.m. in Southwell Complex.
