Cougars Win First Pool Play Match Over Spartans at National Tournament

Sioux City, Iowa – The No. 16-ranked Columbia College volleyball team played their first pool play match tonight as they took on the No. 12-ranked Spartans of Missouri Baptist University. Playing the Spartans for the fourth time this season, the Cougars were looking to avenge their lone loss to the Spartans this season from the AMC title match. Columbia would roll to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-23) sweep of the Spartans behind an energetic effort from the Cougars. 

The win marks the first time since the 2016 season that Columbia has won their opening match at the NAIA National Tournament. 

Columbia dominated the Spartans and lead in almost every statistical category: hitting percentage (.270% > .168%), kills (44 > 42), blocks (7 >1), digs (51 > 50).

The Cougars came out ready to play and took the first set on a match-high .350 hitting percentage with 16 kills and only two errors. Columbia proved better than Missouri Baptist in hitting percentage every set. 

Ellie Rockers had a match-high 12 kills to go along with seven digs, while Allana Capella followed with 11 kills and four blocks. 

Danielle Prior was error-free with four kills and a match-high five blocks. 

Luisa Ferreira dished out 36 assisted with 12 digs, and Magdalena Bostal had a match-high 15 digs. 

With the win, Columbia moves to 1-0 in Pool G and plays their final pool play match tomorrow against No. 9-ranked Viterbo University at 7:00PM.