Dec. 2, 2008

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Cougars were victorious in pool E in the first day of pool play at the NAIA Volleyball National Tournament.  The No. 5 seeded Columbia (Mo.) College Cougars defeated the Rams from the University of Mobile (Ala.) 3-1 while the No. 8 seeded Cougars from Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University took down the Tigers of Dordt (Iowa) College 3-0.

Columbia struggled in the first and third games against Mobile, but was able to shut down the Rams in four games by scores of 25-22, 25-11, 23-25 and 25-15.  Flavia Lino paced Columbia with 21 kills. Luana Branco added 10 kills, 42 assists, four blocks and five digs.  DeCreisha Arrington chipped in eight kills for Mobile. 

Azusa Pacific handed Dordt its first loss in pool play, winning in three by scores of 25-23, 25-22 and 25-14.  Jill Baker led the charge for the Cougars with 14 kills.  Allison Kincheloe and Raechel Jones combined for 34 assists, while Kincheloe also notched 11 digs.  Kendra Potgeter logged 11 kills in the loss for Dordt.