Cougars Defeat Braves, Advance to NAIA National Tournament

Columbia, Mo. – The No. 16-ranked Columbia College volleyball team played host to the No. 22-ranked Braves of Ottawa University in the Opening Round of the NAIA National Tournament. After falling in their opening round contest last season, the Cougars left no doubt today as they rolled to a 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-20) over the Braves. With the win, the Cougars sit at 27-10 and will wait to find out their draw for the National Tournament.

The Cougars led the Braves in almost every category; kills (50-32), service aces (3-1), assists (47-32), and digs (62-49), while the Braves led in blocks (8-3). 

Columbia played streaky as the match went on as they hit just .175% in the opening frame with 18 kills and 11 errors; in the second set the Cougars dropped to .098% with 12 kills and eight errors; but in the third set, the Cougars racked up 20 kills and only five errors for a match-high .319%. 

Allana Capella led the way for the Cougars with 13 kills on a .308 hitting percentage while Sude Gundogan followed with 11 kills. 

Luisa Ferreira was one kill away from a triple-double with 35 assists, 11 digs, and nine kills. 

Defensively, the Cougars had three players finish with double-digit digs in Ferreira (11), Olivia Skipworth (14), and Ellie Rockers (13). 

Columbia will now wait to learn their draw in the NAIA National Tournament. The 24-team national championship final site pool play match-ups will be announced on Sunday, November 20th, on NAIA.org by 5:00PM.