Volleyball Finishes 4-0 in Illinois

Bourbonnais, Ill. – The No.25 ranked Columbia Cougars (13-7) wrapped up play today at the Holiday Inn Express Invite with two more wins, finishing the tournament undefeated at 4-0. The Cougars survived a late comeback effort against the Campbellsville Tigers (10-3), winning the tight contest 3-2. In their next match, the Cougars swept Marian (WI) (4-14) to end the day.

Game 1: Columbia defeated Campbellsville, 3-2 (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 22-25, 15-12)

Columbia took the first two sets by scores of 25-17 and 25-22 before dropping sets three and four 22-25 and 22-25. 

In the fifth and decisive set, Ellie Rockers’ tough serving was combined with kills from Allana Capella and Janae Johnson to push the Cougars to a 5-1 lead, prompting a Tigers timeout. Out of the timeout, both teams traded points until Columbia took a 13-9 lead. Two quick points from the Tigers closed the Cougars’ lead to 13-11, causing Columbia to take their first timeout of the set. From the timeout, another kill from Janae Johnson put the Cougars at match point, 14-11. Campbellsville looked to mount another comeback after scoring to bring themselves to within two, 12-14. Allan Capella ended the match for the Cougars with a kill as Columbia took the fifth set, 15-12.

Columbia had five players finish with double-digit kills in Beyza Bektasoglu (11), Allana Capella (11), Sude Gundogan (11), Abby Massengill (10), and Danielle Prior (10). Luisa Ferreira continues to play well, as she handed out 49 assists.

The Cougars set a season-high 119 team digs as they were led by Luisa Ferreira with 26. She was followed by Ellie Rockers (24), Olivia Skipworth (19), Magdalena Bostal (18), and Mary Henry (10).

The defensive effort extended past the backcourt effort as the Cougars also collected 26 team blocks, led by Danielle Prior as she finished the match with nine of her own. 

Game 2: Columbia defeated Marian (WI), 3-0 (25-22, 25-12, 25-18)

Columbia controlled the match against the Sabres from start to finish, leading Marian in every statistical category.

Sude Gundogan led the Cougars’ offense with 15 kills, hitting a match-high .481%. Columbia’s offense also had a solid contribution from Abby Massengill as she finished the match with seven kills and zero errors. Luisa Ferreira set the Cougars to a .261 hitting percentage as she dished out 28 assists while also having a match-high 19 digs. Ellie Rockers was one assists shy of a double-double as she had 14 digs and nine assists.