October 12, 2024

BELLEVUE, Neb. – Columbia (Mo.) outhit Dakota State (S.D.) 49-34 and took advantage of seven service aces Saturday afternoon, earning a 3-0 sweep (25-21, 25-18, and 25-19) over the Trojans in the Marvel Buin Classic.  The classic was hosted by Bellevue (Neb.).  DSU's Kate VanRooyan surpassed the 1,000-dig milestone in the third set.

Dakota State fell to 13-8 overall record.  Columbia, a member of the America Midwest Conference, improved to 13-10 overall record.  Both teams received votes recognition (RV) in the latest NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 national poll.
DSU plays Grand View (Iowa) in the second tournament match at 4:30 p.m.

(RV) Columbia (Mo.) 3, (RV) Dakota State (S.D.) 0 – FINAL (25-21, 25-18, 25-19)

After the Cougars opened with a 2-0 lead, the Trojans went on a 4-0 scoring run capped by Brooklyn Grage's kill for a 4-2 lead.  Columbia then answered with a 6-1 scoring run to regain their lead at 8-5 after Agatha Emanuelle's kill.

Dakota State could get no closer than one point at 8-7 as Hailey Wathen smashed a kill (assisted by Maddi Langerock).  The Cougars went on a 6-1 scoring run to balloon their lead to 14-8 (after Sude Gundogan's kill).

Trailing 22-16, Wathen ignited DSU's 5-1 scoring run to reduce their deficit.  Tristyn Maras smashed a kill as the Trojans trailed 23-21, forcing the Cougars to call a timeout.

Katerina Pappa smashed back-to-back kills as Columbia secured the first set at 25-21 and a 1-0 match lead. 

Columbia outhit Dakota State 19-14 in the first set.  The Cougars hit .275 (5 errors with 51 attempts) compared to the Trojans .205 hitting efficiency (5 errors in 44 swings).

CC raced to a 6-1 lead in the second set, including a 4-0 opening lead.  The Trojans answered with a 6-2 scoring run to cut the Cougars' lead to 8-7. 

At 11-9, Columbia used a 9-2 outburst as their lead grew to 20-11 after Mariana De Carvalho's link for a 20-11 lead.  The Cougars grabbed a 2-0 match lead after winning the second set at 25-18. 

Columbia hit .281 (14 kills with five errors in 32 attempts) compared to Dakota State .188 hitting percentage (10 kills with four errors in 32 swings) in the second set.

Both teams went through a see-saw battle in the third set, trading leads.  After the Trojans led 13-11, the Cougars went on a 5-0 scoring run to take a 16-13 lead. 

CC closed the third set with a 6-1 scoring run after holding a slim 19-18 lead, claiming a 25-19 victory for a 3-0 sweep.  The Cougars outhit the Trojans 16-10 in the third set.

Wathen led the Trojans with eight kills.  Grage added seven kills.  Macey Wathen and Maras each tallied six kills.  Madalyn Groft and Maddi Langerock each contributed 16 set assists.

M. Wathen and Sydney Schell each registered two blocks for Dakota State.  VanRooyan finished the match with 14 digs (collected 1,001 career digs after the match).  Schell added seven digs.

Pappa led the Cougars with 13 kills and hit .550.  Allana Capella added 11 kills and hit .409.  De Carvalho had nine kills.  Hannah Vogt produced 25 set assists.  Alexa Olson added 18 assists.  Clara Gower had 14 digs.  Isabella Kincaid collected 11 digs.

Columba hit .266 in the match (49 kills with 16 errors in 124 swings) compared to Dakota State .183 (34 kills with 14 errors in 109 attempts).