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Sioux City, Iowa – The Cougars of Columbia College swept the Cougars of Mount Vernon Nazarene University in their first match of pool play at the NAIA National Tournament.
The win moves Columbia to 31-6 on the season, while MVNU ends their season at 31-9. Columbia will play Park University tomorrow in their final pool play match with a spot in the next round on the line as the winner will advance.
Columbia got out to a quick start with kills from Agatha Emanuelle and Allana Capella to take a 5-1 lead. MVNU started to chip away at the lead, but Columbia’s offensive prowess was too much as they fell behind 12-19. Up 22-16, CC found its final three points with a kill from Alayna Rooks, a Luisa Ferreira service ace, and a block from Allana Capella and Agatha Emanuelle, winning the first set 25-16.
The second set followed suit of the first as CC took a quick 7-2 lead. Both teams traded points until CC found themselves up, 22-16. A MVNU attacking error was followed by two more kills from Alayna Rooks to give Columbia the second set win, 25-17.
Mount Vernon was determined to extend their season as they started strong in set three, taking an early 5-2 lead. A four-point service run from Allana Capella sparked a Columbia run that put them ahead 7-5. Columbia would extend their lead to 22-19, but two kills from MVNU closed the gap to 21-22. Two kills from Alayna Rooks gave the Cougars match point, 24-22, but a kill from MVNU prompted a timeout from Head Coach Allison Jones-Olson. Out of the timeout, Columbia would win the match 25-23 after a service error from MVNU.
Alayna Rooks led Columbia with 13 kills hitting .345%. Ellie Rockers followed with nine kills to go along with nine digs.
Agatha Emanuelle contributed seven kills with six blocks.
Luisa Ferreira totaled 29 assists with 10 digs.
Magdalena Bostal had a game-high 23 digs for Columbia.
