Columbia, Mo. – The No. 16 Columbia College volleyball team secured a 3-0 American Midwest Conference (AMC) semifinal tournament victory over five-seed Stephens College (Mo.) this evening. The Cougars produced a 25-15, 25-10, 25-15 advantage against the Stars.
Columbia went on an early 5-0 run, recording three-straight kills along with a service ace from
Luisa Ferreira. This put the Cougars ahead 8-3. The Stars were able to generate their offense, finding themselves within two points, 12-10. The Cougars produced the next seven points on four kills from
Beyza Bektasoglu and
Danielle Prior extending the lead to 19-10.
Ellie Rockers concluded the opening set with a kill, 25-15.
The Cougars documented the first 11 points of the second set, as Ferreira led the way with three kills. Columbia generated a hitting percentage of .375, which was a match-high. They went on to hold Stephens to a ten-point set, and came on top 25-10.
Columbia never found themselves down the entire match and jumped out to an 11-4 advantage in the final set. The Cougars did not look back as they went on to produce a 25-15 defeat over the Stars.
Janae Johnson led the way with nine kills and three blocks, while Bektasoglu contributed seven kills of her own.
Ferreira dished out 34 assists to go along with seven digs and six service aces.
The Cougars will advance to the AMC Championship game tomorrow, November 12 at 12 p.m. at the Arena of Southwell Complex. They will face the winner of the semifinal match between two-seed Missouri Baptist and three-seed William Woods (Mo.).
