Columbia, Mo. - The Columbia College Cougars, ranked #11 in the latest edition of the NAIA Coaches' Poll, played host to the Spires of the University of Saint Mary tonight at home in more non-conference action. In a back and forth contest that saw multiple lead changes each set, Columbia managed to outlast USM and earn a four set win, 3-1 (25-18, 25-27, 25-19, 25-18). The win moves the Cougars to 6-1 on the season while the Spires fall to 4-2. 

The Cougars took an early lead in set one at 8-3 and continued to hold their lead the remainder of the set. Up 16-9, kills from Allana Capella and Alayna Rooks with an error from the Spires forced USM to take their second timeout of the set. The Spires made a little push out of the timeout as they used three errors from the Cougars to cut their deficit to 14-20, prompting a timeout from Columbia. The Cougars would earn five of the next nine points to take the first set 25-18. 

Set two saw both teams trade points until Columbia built a three-point cushion leading 18-15. The Spires continued to fight as they were able to tie the set at 21-21 after three errors from the Cougars. Tied 23-23, the Cougars had an attacking error to give set point to USM. After a timeout from Columbia, Luisa Ferreira had a kill to tie the score, and then Alayna Rooks countered another set point for USM with a kill of her own. The Spires would take the final two points with a kill and a block to win the second set, 27-25.

With the match tied 1-1, the Cougars looked to bounce back in the third set. Tied at 7-7, two kills from Ellie Rockers and a block by Allana Capella and Sude Gundogan gave the Cougars the 10-7 lead. Later in the set, up 22-17, the Cougars forced the Spires to take their second timeout of the set. From the timeout, the Cougars used an error from the Spires with a kill from Ellie Rockers and a kill from Allana Capella to win the third set, 25-19. 

Looking to close out the match in the fourth set, the Cougars jumped out to a 13-6 lead when USM called their first timeout. The Spires responded with four quick points to cut the CC lead to 15-10, but it would not be enough as the Cougars continued to score to take a 22-17 lead. Kills from Sude Gundogan and Ellie Rockers put the Cougars at match point, 24-17. An untimely service error from USM gave the Cougars the fourth and final set win, 25-18. 

Statistical Leaders:

• Ellie Rockers: 16 kills, 11 digs, four assists, two service aces
• Allana Capella: 15 kills, four blocks
• Alayna Rooks: nine kills
• Sude Gundogan: six kills, four blocks
• Luisa Ferreira: 46 assists, eight digs, six kills, two service aces
• Ana Oro: 25 digs, four service aces
• Aubrey Kohl: 11 digs
• Magdalena Bostal: 10 digs