KTGR ESPN 100.5 FM & 1580 AM
Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College volleyball team swept their first two matches at the Baker Invitational, hosted by Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan. The Cougars swept Graceland (Iowa) and then defeated (9) Concordia (Neb.) in a five-set thriller.
Columbia (9-4) vs. Graceland (1-6)
Set 1: Columbia 22 | Graceland 8
After a kill by Graceland cut their deficit down to six (12-6), the Cougars opened the set up by scoring the following nine points taking a 20-6 lead. After splitting the following four points, Columbia scored the final three points of the set.
Set 2: Columbia 22 | Graceland 23
The Cougars led 10-3 in set two, but the Yellowjackets came back and took a 20-18 lead. Columbia responded by scoring seven of the final ten points to go up two sets to none.
Set 3: Columbia 22 | Graceland 14
Another strong start of the Cougars was key in set three. The Cougars used a 5-0 run, capped off by a Sidney Branson kill, to take a 20-10 lead. The teams would split the final points, and Columbia cruised to the sweep.
LEADERS –
DIGS: Mary Kelly (GU) – 17
ASSISTS: Luisa Ferreira (CC) – 30
KILLS: Ellie Crede (CC) – 9
SERVICE ACES: Luisa Ferreira (CC) / Tatum Butt (GU) – 3
BLOCKS: Bailee Ulery (CC) – 4
Columbia (10-4) vs. (6) Concordia (4-5)
Set 1: Columbia 22 | Concordia 25
The Bulldogs raced out to a 7-2 lead, but the Cougars cut their deficit to 12-10. Concordia answered with the following five points to open up a 17-10 lead. With set point for the Bulldogs, the Cougars attempted a comeback with six straight points but fell just short at Concordia took set one.
Set 2: Columbia 25 | Concordia 17
The two teams were evenly matched in set two, as Columbia held a 13-11 advantage before running off five-straight to increase their lead to 18-11. The Bulldogs got back to within four points (18-14), but Columbia held off their rally to take set two.
Set. 3: Columbia 25 | Concordia 20
The Bulldogs led 5-2 before an Ellie Crede kill tied the set up at 5-5. The Cougars took a 10-6 advantage after a service ace by Sude Gundogan. The Cougars increased their lead to nine points with a 6-0 run to take a 17-8 lead. The Bulldogs got to within three points (23-20), but the Cougars scored the final two points.
Set 4: Columbia 18 | Concordia 25
Concordia went on a 7-0 run to increase their lead to 19-9. Columbia scored five straight to climb back to within four points (20-16), but that was as close as the Cougars would get, as Concordia forced set five.
Set 5: Columbia 15 | Concordia 8
Leading 8-7 in the final set, the Cougars used a 6-1 run to take advantage of the winner take all set, 14-7. CC received a kill from Luisa Ferreira to give them the match win.
LEADERS –
DIGS: Jaqueline Silva (CC) – 22
ASSISTS: Luisa Ferreira (CC) – 48
KILLS: Camryn Opfer (CU) – 23
SERVICE ACES: Jaqueline Silva (CC) – 3
BLOCKS: Danielle Prior (CC) – 9
Up Next:
On Saturday, the Cougars continue play in the Baker Invitational, with another doubleheader against Haskell (Kan.) at 9:00 AM and Saint Mary (Kan.) at 1:00 PM.
