Burbonnais, Ill. – The third ranked Columbia College volleyball team was back in action today when they traveled to Burbonnais, Illinois to compete in the 2018 Holiday Inn Tournament hosted by Olivet Nazarene University. The Cougars played two matches on the first day of the tournament notching a 3-0 set (25-17, 25-20, 25-16) against Saint Xavier University (Ill.) and then another sweep (25-12, 25-11, 25-19) victory over the Georgetown (Ky.) College Tigers. After today's victories, Columbia has won 43 consecutive sets, the most since 2010 when they won 37 straight.  The Cougars now improve to 19-1 on the season.

To begin the day the Cougars took a 10-4 start over Saint Xavier. SXU called an early timeout as they trailed. As the set continued Columbia went up 16-10. The Cougars then went on a 7-1 run making it 22-11. SXU made a late run trying to catch up as they cut the score 23-17, but the Cougars grabbed the final two points to win 25-17.

In set two, Columbia took the early 4-1 lead. SXU was not far behind as they trailed 10-8. Columbia was able to separate themselves taking a 17-11 lead causing another SXU timeout. Saint Xavier began to climb their way back into the game cutting the score to four, but that was as close as they would get as the Cougars took set two 25-20, now holding the 2-0 advantage.

Columbia remained in control in the third leading 7-3. SXU quickly cut it to two, but the Cougars were just as quick to take back the breathing room making it 13-6. Columbia continued to run as it was 20-13. In route to their 13^th straight sweep, the Cougars wrapped up the match with a 26-16 victory.

Columbia was led by Caroline Clifford who recorded 10 kills. In addition, Thais Andrade tallied 21 digs, while Manuela Vargas had 34 assists in the first match of the day.

Columbia took on Georgetown College in match two of the day. The first set was kept close, neither team pulling very far away as the Cougars led 9-7. Columbia was settling in as they used an 11-3 run making it 20-10. The Cougars held the Tigers to just two more points while they secured a 25-12 win in set one.

The second set began just like the first, each team neck and neck tied up at 6. But just like the first, the Cougars went on a 10-2 run creating some separation leading 16-8. There was no slowing down as Columbia cruised to a 25-11 victory with momentum on their side.

After taking care of business in the first two sets, the Cougars were looking to end it in the third. Columbia held a 10-4 lead as the third set was underway. However, the Tigers were not going down without a fight as they battled back and tied the game up at 16. The Tigers were never able to grab the lead as the Cougars outlasted Georgetown with a final score of 25-19, locking in their 14^th straight sweep.

The Cougars were led by Kiersten Anderson who recorded 10 kills. In addition to Anderson, Thais Andrade (13) and Caroline Clifford (11) each tallied double digit digs, while Manuela Vargas chipped in 33 assists to end the day.

The volleyball team is back in action tomorrow, September 28^th when they continue play in the 2018 Holiday Inn Tournament hosted by Olivet Nazarene. Columbia is set to play Trinity Christian College at 9 a.m. and Grace College at 11 a.m.