Cougars Improve to 6-0

Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College volleyball team closed out the 2021 Hampton Inn Classic with a pair of wins against (18) Ottawa (Kan.) and (RV) Evangel (Mo.). The Cougars are now 6-0 for the first time since 2014.
 
Columbia (5-0) vs. Evangel (1-2)
 Set 1: Columbia 25 | Evangel 21
The first set was close throughout until CC scored five straight to give them a 23-19 lead. The two teams split the final four points, and the Cougars took the set, 25-21.
 
Set 2: Columbia 25 | Evangel 20
Set number two was almost identical to the first, with neither team able to pull away. Leading 17-16, the Cougars were able to take a commanding 22-16 advantage with another 5-0 run. The two teams would split the final points, and CC went up 2-0 in the match.
 
Set 3: Columbia 23 | Evangel 25
The two teams continued to battle it out in the third set, and CC took a 16-11 lead after an EU attack error. Evangel then scored six of seven points and tied the game at 17-17. Columbia came back and took a 23-22 advantage, but Evangel scored the final three points to force a set four.
 
Set 4: Columbia 25 | Evangel 21
The Cougars came out firing in the fourth set, as three-straight service aces by Raven Buckley gave CC the 15-7 lead. Evangel closed the gap to 21-20, but the Cougars closed the game on a 4-1 run to take the match.
 
LEADERS – 
DIGS: Jaqueline Silva (CC) – 29
ASSISTS: Luisa Ferreira (CC) – 32
KILLS: Sidney Branson (CC) – 16
SERVICE ACES: Raven Buckley (CC) – 3
BLOCKS: Bailee Ulery (CC) – 7
 
Columbia (6-0) vs. Ottawa (1-3) 
 Set 1: Columbia 25 | Ottawa 15
The Cougars came out strong in the first set, leading 7-2 after an Abby Massengill kill. The Braves fought back and tied the set at 10-10, but the Cougars answered with six-straight for the 16-10 lead. OU tried to come back again and go to within five points (20-15), but the Cougars closed with the set’s final five points.
 
Set 2: Columbia 22 | Ottawa 25
The Cougars hit .270 with 13 kills in the second set, but a 7-1 run late gave OU a 19-9 advantage. Columbia battled back, climbing within one with a 9-1 run (22-21), but OU could not take the set.
 
Set 3: Columbia 25 | Ottawa 21
After a Luisa Ferreira kill, Columbia jumped out to a quick 12-5 lead in the third set. Ottawa fought back at tied the set at 20-20 before Columbia closed the set on a 5-1 run thanks to three kills from Ellie Rockers. Columbia held the Braves to a .182 attacking percentage in the set.
 
Set 4: Columbia 17 | Ottawa 25
Set number four saw the Braves take an 18-10 lead, and they never looked back. Columbia was not able to cut into their deficit, and the Braves forced a set five.
 
Set 5: Columbia 15 | Ottawa 13
The two teams were tied at 9-9 when Ottawa scored the following three points to go up 12-9. After the two teams split two points and Ottawa leading 13-10, Columbia tallied the final six points to take the match. In that last run, Danielle Prior picked up two kills, including the game-winner, and added two blocks.
 
LEADERS – 
DIGS: Taylor Mobley (OU) – 23
ASSISTS: Luisa Ferreira (CC) – 41
KILLS: Ellie Rockers (CC) – 22
SERVICE ACES: Ava Taton (OU) – 4
BLOCKS: Abby Massengill (CC) – 9
 
2021 Hampton Inn Classic All-Tournament Team

^ – Most Valuable Player
 
Up Next: 
Columbia hosts Westminster (Mo.) at on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 7:00 PM.