Owls Test #7 Columbia, Fall Short

(FULTON, Mo., Oct. 29)--The William Woods University volleyball team lost a hard-fought battle with American Midwest Conference rival Columbia College on Thursday night in Anderson Arena. The nations seventh ranked team defeated the Owls 3-0 by scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 28-26. The victory clinches the regular season AMC title for Columbia.

Columbia took the first two sets behind strong front-line play from Maria Omondi, Monica Dos Santos and Cate Eckhardt.

The Cougars took a 19-11 lead in the third set. The Owls rallied behind strong attacking play from sophomore Lauren Fleming (Granbury, Tex.) and senior Lacey Olin (Colorado Springs, Colo.), and tough defensive play from freshman Alicia Green (Midlothian, Tex.) and senior Cali Simmons (Shawnee, Kan.). Woods rallied from match point to tie the set at 24.

The Owls and Cougar exchanged kills to run the set to 26-26. Columbia would win the final two points and earn the victory.

Fleming and Olin led the Owls with seven kills apiece. Simmons and junior Brianna Rodriguez added four kills for WWU in the loss. Green tallied seven blocks for the Owls in a losing effort. Simmons added four blocks for William Woods. Freshman Emily Nolte (Higginsville, Mo.) and junior Molly Dougherty had 12, and nine, assists respectively.

#7 Columbia improves to 28-2 on the season, and 14-0 in the AMC. William Woods falls to 24-5 on the year, 12-3 in league play. The loss snapped a 15-match winning streak for the Owls.

The Owls will return to action on October 31st. WWU will host McKendree University at 1 pm in Anderson Arena. The Owls are currently in second place in the AMC; one match in the loss column ahead of McKendree.

Saturday will serve as Senior Day for the Owls. Prior to the match, head coach Jenny Mueller will recognize Skye Wade, Cali Simmons, Emily Edens and Lacey Olin.