Cougars Earn Second AMC Win in Sweep Over Mustangs

Columbia, Mo. – The No. 10-ranked Cougars of Columbia College earned their second consecutive American Midwest Conference win in just as many days as they played to a sweep over the visiting Mustangs of Central Baptist College. Columbia improved to 14-3 overall and 2-0 in conference play while CBC dropped to 6-8 overall and 0-2 in AMC play. 

It was a slow start for the Cougars in set one as they trailed for most of the first set. Down 12-16, a kill from Katerina Pappa sparked a three-point service run from Magdalena Bostal to cut the deficit to just one, 15-16. Both teams traded points from there until a tie at 19-19 was broken by three consecutive kills from Alayna Rooks to put the Cougars up 21-19. A kill from Abby Massengill ended the first set for the Cougars, 25-22. 

Luisa Ferreira got the Cougars out to a 5-0 lead in the second set. Columbia continued to hold their lead as they took even bigger leads at 10-3 and 20-6. Three kills from Katerina Pappa and a kill from Abby Massengill put the Cougars at set point, 24-8, before a service ace from Luisa Ferreira gave the Cougars the second set win, 25-8. 

The Mustangs used four quick kills in the third set to jump out to a 6-3 lead. A kill from Luisa Ferreira was followed by two kills from Ellie Rockers to put Magdalena Bostal at the service line. Bostal served the Cougars to a 10-7 lead before a kill from the Mustangs cut their run. Up 15-14, Luisa Ferreira sparked a big run for Columbia as she recorded three service aces along the way to take a 20-14 lead. Kills from Alayna Rooks and Ellie Rockers sealed the third set win for Columbia, 25-17. 

Statistical Leaders:

• Alayna Rooks – 11 kills, .476 hitting percentage
• Ellie Rockers – nine kills, .900 hitting percentage, three service aces, five digs
• Katerina Pappa – eight kills
• Janae Johnson – eight kills
• Magdalena Bostal – eight digs
• Luisa Ferreira – 38 assists, four service aces, seven digs