Columbia, Mo. – The 2^nd ranked Cougar volleyball team continued play in the 2019 Hampton Inn Classic today. In their first match of the day they faced No. 15 The Master's (Calif.) University, defeating the Mustangs 3-1 (25-20, 25-18, 24-26, 25-17). In match two, Columbia went up against Indiana Wesleyan University, failing to the Wildcats 3-1 (19-25, 19-25, 33-31, 19-25). Columbia moves to 4-1 on the season.
 
The Cougars came out on fire in their first match of the day, logging 16 kills in the first set compared to just eight by their opponent. Columbia continued their aggressive play in the second set going on a 15-6 run which was interrupted by the Mustangs 5-1 run to close the gap. Kiersten Anderson and Jaqueline Silva stayed aggressive at the net as they shut down the Mustangs attack to take the second set. Columbia built an 11-point cushion in the third set but found themselves struggling to keep the ball in play late, allowing The Master's to creep back in and take the win, pushing the match to a fourth set. After hitting just 0.152 in the third set, the Cougars hit on all cylinders in the fourth, hitting 0.350 to close out the match.  
 
Anderson led the way for the Cougars in the first match with 15 kills, six aces, and three blocks. Sidney Branson also chipped in 15 kills and 13 digs, Shelby Meyer finished with 18 digs, while Luisa Ferreira dished out 49 assists
 
Columbia's second match of the day started off slow with Indiana Wesleyan scoring the first point. Branson tried to help the Cougars pick up their energy with four key kills in the opening set but Indiana Wesleyan continued to press the Cougars and took the first set. The second set started much like the first and the Cougars struggled to find a rhythm. The set was evenly matched but errors got the best of the Cougars and gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead heading into the third set. Columbia came back to fight hard in the third match, playing point to point with the Wildcats. An attack error by Indiana Wesleyan aided in Columbia taking the third set after a long battle. Despite a great start by the Cougars in the fourth set, the momentum shifted back to the Wildcats as they cruised to the victory to finish the Hampton Inn Classic 4-0.

Branson led three Cougars in double-digit kills with 18 while Anderson and Silva logged 16 and 10, respectively. Libero Shelby Meyer anchored the defense with 19 digs while Branson, Ferreira and Ellie Rockers combined for 41 of the team's 73 digs. Ferreira quarterbacked the offense with 52 assists.
 
Following the last match, the 2019 Hampton Inn All-Classic team was named. Columbia's Kiersten Anderson was a unanimous choice among opponents and took home Most Valuable Player accolades. Cougar freshman setter Luisa Ferreira was also named to the All-Classic team.  For a complete list, click here.
 
The Cougars will be back in action on Wednesday, September 4^th, when they host the Missouri Valley Vikings in a nonconference matchup. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Southwell Complex.