Koalas Hang Tough but fall Short against Carolina U

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College volleyball team faced a tough team on Tuesday evening falling in three sets at home to non-conference NAIA foe Carolina University (NC).

Carolina (5-4) won 25-18, 25-18, and 25-19 totaling 36 kills while hitting .316. Columbia recorded 30 kills and hit .132 led by nine kills from freshman hitter Kameron Turner who hit a team-best .353. CU hit .357 as a team in the first set with 14 kills while Columbia picked up 12 kills. Each team totaled 10 kills apiece in the third set as Columbia took the lead at 11-10 but CU then went on a run to clinch the match.

Freshman setter Lilly Almada made her setting season debut totaling 27 assists along with 2 kills, 4 aces, and 4 digs as she played a terrific match. Sophomore libero Katie Roberts then led the team with 14 digs while junior outside hitter Maranda Bird registered 7 kills, 2 aces and 6 digs. Fellow sophomore hitter Tamia Fripp also added 6 kills while senior middle blocker Destiny Brown picked up four blocks and 5 kills.

Columbia will next go on the road to face Carolina next Tuesday at 6 pm.