Cougars Sweep Valor, Remain Undefeated in Series History

Columbia, Mo. – The 11th-ranked Cougars took the court tonight as they played host to the Valor of Evangel University. In the series history, the Cougars were 10-0 against the Valor heading into tonight’s match. After a close first set, the Cougars were able to cruise in sets two and three with different lineups to earn the 3-0 sweep and improve their series record to 11-0. The win moves Columbia to 11-2 on the season and drops Evangel to 5-7.

Columbia took an early 10-5 lead in set one after a four-point scoring run led by Ellie Rockers. The Valor capitalized on errors from the Cougars and fought back to tie the set at 14-14, prompting a timeout from Columbia. Out of the timeout, the Cougars worked to a four-point lead after kills from Alayna Rooks and Sude Gundogan. Down 17-22, Evangel once again fought back to cut the CC lead to just 24-22 before a kill from Allana Capella ended the first set, 25-22. 

The Cougars rolled through set two, taking leads at 10-3 and then again at 20-6. A Valor service error put Luisa Ferreira at the service line as the Cougars were up 23-10. Janae Johnson registered a block that was followed by a service ace from Ferreira to give the Cougars the second set win, 25-10. 

In the third set, Evangel jumped out in front first at 3-1, but a kill from Janae Johnson and an attacking error from the Valor tied the score at 4-4. Both teams traded points until Columbia had worked to a 14-10 lead. Two kills from Alayna Rooks and one from Janae Johnson extended the CC lead to 17-10. Up 23-16, the Cougars used a kill from Agatha Emanuelle and a kill from Luisa Ferreira to close out the match, 25-17. 

Alayna Rooks led all scorers with 10 kills. Allana Capella and Janae Johnson both finished with seven kills each, respectively. 

Katerina Pappa contributed five kills on zero errors, and Sude Gundogan also had five kills with zero errors. 

Luisa Ferreira finished with a double-double of 39 assists and 10 digs. 

Clara Gower registered a team and match-high 14 digs, followed by Magdalena Bostal with 11.