CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - Top-seeded Columbia (23-14) captured its 25th tournament title in program history with a dominant three-set victory over Stephens College (26-13) at The Beal Center on Saturday afternoon, winning 25-22, 25-17, 25-19.
Columbia hit .242 for the match compared to Stephens' .083, putting away 42 kills while limiting their own errors to just 13.
Kenedi Canty led all players with 11 points on nine kills while hitting an impressive .444. The dynamic duo of Canty and Mila Zoric (10 points, .417 hitting percentage) combined for four block assists.
Six different Cougars recorded kills in the victory, with Viola Giangreco adding eight and a half points on seven kills and three block assists. Isabella Kincaid contributed eight kills and a service ace, while setter Hannah Vogt orchestrated the offense with 22 assists and added a service ace of her own.
The Cougars' defense was equally impressive, with libero Taylor Johnson anchoring the back row with 23 digs. The team combined for three solo blocks and 12 block assists, consistently disrupting Stephens' offensive rhythm.
Facing a 12-5 deficit, Columbia chipped away at the lead, using their balanced attack to keep the Stars from pulling away. Columbia cut it to 15-11 and continued to battle, eventually tying the set at 20-20 after Stephens had led for most of the frame. Stephens edged ahead 22-21, but the final three points belonged to the Cougars.
Stephens committed back-to-back attack errors, and Isabella Kincaid delivered the clinching kill to seal a hard-fought 25-22 victory. The comeback win gave Columbia momentum and a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set saw the Cougars hit their stride. After trailing 8-7, Columbia rattled off an 11-5 run. The Cougars cruised to a 25-17 victory to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Stephens mounted one final push in the third set, rallying from 7-11 down to tie the match at 16-16 and later at 19-19. But Isabella Kincaid took over down the stretch, serving an ace and helping seal the 25-19 victory and the championship.
With the tournament victory, Columbia punches its ticket to the NAIA Volleyball National Championship as an automatic qualifier. The Cougars will learn their seeding and opponent when the selection show airs Monday, November 17th at 4:00 P.M.
