Columbia, Mo. – This afternoon the 14th ranked Columbia College women's volleyball team continued play in the 2018 Hampton Inn Classic. In their first match of the day they faced The Master's University Mustangs. The Cougars dropped to the Mustangs in a 3-1 set (20-25, 13-25, 26-24, 22-25). In match two, Columbia took down the number four ranked Viterbo University V-Hawks in a 3-1 set (25-9, 25-16, 20-25, 25-20). Columbia improves to a 5-1 record.
After dropping the first two sets to the Mustangs and struggling to find their niche, the Cougars were looking to bounce back heading into set three. As set three began, Columbia was still in search of that spark as they trailed 6-2 early. The Cougars continued to work and found themselves tied at 10. Columbia began to find some life as they took the lead 14-12. As the momentum began to swing in the Cougars favor they led 20-16. Columbia continued to push holding the lead 23-18. The Mustangs made a late run tying the game 24-24. The Cougars were able to snatch the final two points to win 26-24. Columbia would need to win it out from here as they trailed 2-1 in the match.
In the fourth set, the Cougars began to find more of a rhythm as they led 7-3 to start. The Mustangs chipped their way back in however, as it was 13-11 Columbia midway through. The Cougars continued to hold the advantage leading 20-16. Once again the Mustangs made a late push cutting the score 21-19. The game was quickly tied at 21 as the Cougars were trying to hold on. The Mustangs ran past making the score 24-21 forcing Columbia to call a last minute timeout. The Cougars were not able to pull it out as they dropped 25-22.
Columbia was led by Pamela Jamie (14), Caroline Clifford (13), and Ariadne Borges (13) who all recorded double digit kills. Thais Andrade racked up 14 digs, while Manuela Vargas tallied 43 assists in the match.
In the final game of the weekend Columbia was taking on the fourth ranked Viterbo University V-Hawks. The Cougars came out with authority taking a 6-0 lead right off the bat. Columbia kept the pressure on as they led 11-3 forcing the V-Hawks to call their second timeout of the game. The Cougars kept their foot on the gas as the score was 18-6. With confidence Columbia took set one 25-9, leading the match 1-0.
The Cougar energy was flowing as they led the second set 7-3. Columbia was still controlling the game 13-8 as it progressed. As Viterbo tried to creep back in, the Cougars were quick to close the door, leading 17-11. Columbia cruised to a 25-16 victory, holding the 2-0 advantage in the match.
The third set was knotted at six as Columbia was going for the sweep. The game remained close as the Cougars were trailing 10-8. The V-Hawks began to grab some space as they led 13-8. Columbia was looking to make a run as they found themselves trailing 16-11. The Cougars executed the run they needed as they cut the score to one, 17-16, causing a Viterbo timeout. Following the timeout, Columbia tied the game at 17 and the run did not stop there as they took a one point lead 18-17. Viterbo then held a two point lead 21-19 as the Cougars needed one last push to end things. Columbia was unable to finish it as they fell 25-20 in the third. The match was now 2-1 Cougars.
The fourth set would go back and forth, neither team able to pull away early. The Cougars went on a 3-0 run to take the lead 8-5 as the V-Hawks called a timeout. The run continued as Columbia led 13-6 as another Viterbo timeout was called. The Cougars were keeping their distance leading 17-9. The V-Hawks tried their best to get back in the game, but were unable to overcome the Cougars. Columbia took the fourth set 25-20, sweeping the number four ranked Viterbo University.
Columbia was led by Caroline Clifford (15) and Pamela Jaime (10) who each recorded double digit kills. In addition, Thais Andrade (23) and Kiersten Anderson (10) had double digit digs, while Manuela Vargas chipped in 42 assists.
Following the conclusion of the 2018 Hampton Inn Classic an All-Tournament Team was announced including Sarah Cruz (LWC), Ana Oliveria (MBU), Marina Sanches (MNU), Kayla Sims (TMC), Ana Collar (IWU), Lydia Xu (Viterbo), Caroline Clifford (CC), Aubrey Aspen (Viterbo), Nada Meawad (Park), Manuela Vargas (CC), Mallory Moran (MBU), Alissa Flint (Park), and Alex Ewalt (ONU). For her efforts this weekend Nada Meawad was also named the MVP.
The Cougars will be back in action on Friday, September 7th, when they travel to Hastings, Nebraska to compete in the Five Points Bank Invitational. They are set to play MidAmerica Nazarene University at 1 p.m. and then Hastings College at 7 p.m.
