Koala Volleyball Powers Past TMU in a thrilling 5 Sets on Senior Day

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College volleyball team powered past AAC foe Truett McConnell 3-2 in a thrilling five set match on senior day Saturday in Columbia. The Koalas won an exciting 18-16 fifth set for the come-from-behind victory.

The Koalas took the first set handily 25-21 before holding off a TMU rally in the second set to win it 28-26 on 19 kills hitting .302. TMU controlled the third set to win 25-21 as well as the fourth set 25-18 to force a deciding set. Columbia got out to a 4-1 lead in the decider before TMU rallied to lead 8-6 at the court switch. They then traded points with the Koalas until the Bears led 14-12. TMU then had thought they had won the match on an ace but CC saved it and won the point and outscored the Bears 6-2 the rest of the way for the thrilling win. CC had 12 kills and hit .207 in the fifth set.

The victory is Columbia's fifth of the season as they improve to 5-12 in the AAC and into a tie for 10th in the conference, the last playoff spot, with just two away games remaining. Truett also falls to 5-12.

Columbia totaled a season high 70 kills in the matcfh led by four ladies in double-figure kills. Junior setter Debra Shephard also set a modern-day Columbia record for assists in a match notching 64 helpers. Shephard also had 10 digs, two blocks, an ace and a kill for a double-double.

Leading the offense was junior OH Maranda Bird with a season-high 19 kills and 11 digs with two aces anf a block assist while hitting 324 for d obule-dobule as well. Senior middle blocker Destiny Brown also stepped up on her day registering 17 kills, 4 digs and 4 blocks while sophomore OH Tamia Fripp put down 15 kills. Freshman right side hitter Kameron Turner also recorded 13 kills with 3 blocks for her season high in kills.

Sophomore libero Katie Roberts led the defense picking up 17 digs and four Aces while defensive specialists Riley Koellner and senior Leticia Assen combined for 14 digs, 3 aces and an assist. Senior middle hitter Savanna Logan also chipped in 4 kills and a block as well.

Columbia is now 5-21 overall and will next go on the road to battle crosstown rival CIU next Friday at 6:30 pm.