Cougars Wrap Up Play in Florida

West Palm Beach, Fla. – The No. 20-ranked Columbia College volleyball team came up short in their final day at the Chick-fil-A Classic against No.18 College of Saint Mary (Neb.) (3-2) and No.15 Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) (3-2).
 

Columbia (0-4) vs. Saint Mary (4-0)

Set 1: Columbia 23 l Saint Mary 25
The Flames held a consistent lead through the midway point of the first set, 14-9. With three kills on four-straight points, the Cougars gained their first lead of the match, 18-17. A kill by Sude Gundogan tied the game at 23-apiece, but Saint Mary took the next two points with a first set final of 25-23.

Set 2: Columbia 25 l Saint Mary 21
The set began with five ties before the Cougars produced five-consecutive points, 17-11. Columbia continued to dominate the rest of the way earning a 25-21 second set victory. The Cougars produced their highest hitting percentage of the match with .356%.

Set 3: Columbia 12 l Saint Mary 25
Saint Mary went on a 4-0 run before the addition of two kills from Abby Massengill (4-2). The Flames found their groove producing 16 kills compared to four from the Cougars. Columbia recorded 12 total points before Saint Mary took seven straight points, 25-12.

Set 4: Columbia 25 l Saint Mary 15
The Cougars began the set strong, taking a 6-1 advantage. They held on to the lead the remainder of the way, producing 16 kills while hitting .286%.
Set 5: Columbia 5 l Saint Mary 15
The Flames carried the momentum throughout the final set, racing out to a quick 10-2 lead. The Cougars totaled three more points, allowing Saint Mary to record a 15-5 defeat.
 
 
Columbia (0-4) vs. Dakota Wesleyan (4-0)
Set 1: Columbia 19 l Dakota Wesleyan 25
The Cougars started the match with a 5-2 advantage on three kills. The Tigers found their way back producing three-straight points, but it would continue to be a back-and-forth battle throughout the set. Columbia evened the score at 19-all, but Dakota Wesleyan grabbed the final six points of the set, 25-19.

Set 2: Columbia 25 l Dakota Wesleyan 23
Columbia went on a 5-0 run to take the 9-6 lead early on. The Tigers went on to tie it at 13-13, but that’s as close as they would come the rest of the set. The Cougars took the set, 25-23.

Set 3: Columbia 20 l Dakota Wesleyan 25
Despite six ties in the opening frame, Dakota Wesleyan produced four quick points to take a 17-12 advantage. The Cougars got within two with a kill and attack error, 20-18. The Cougars totaled two more points within the set while the Tigers earned the 25-20 third set decision.

Set 4: Columbia 25 l Dakota Wesleyan 19
Columbia jumped out to an 8-5 edge over the Tigers, coming from five kills. Dakota Wesleyan got within two at 15-13, but it was all Columbia from there. The Cougars recorded their best hitting percentage of the match at .270%.
 
Set 5: Columbia 9 l Dakota Wesleyan 15
In the deciding set, the Tigers jumped out to a reassuring 7-1 advantage on four kills. Columbia was able to come within four points, but Dakota Wesleyan did not look back securing a 15-9.
 
Up Next: 
The Cougars are set to host the CC Hampton Inn Classic on August 26-27, opening their first match against No. 21 Grand View (Iowa) at 12 p.m.