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By: Josh Fuller

QUINCY, Ill. – The Columbus State University volleyball team concluded play in the Quincy Tournament with a pair of victories Saturday.
 
The Lady Cougars defeated Culver-Stockton 3-1 (25-9, 25-16, 18-25, 25-16) in the morning before taking down Maryville 3-1 (25-27, 25-23, 25-10, 25-23) later in the day.
 
"This was a very successful trip for us," said CSU head coach Casey Cornett. "We had to overcome some adversity in a few matches and we overcame it. I can't wait to get back home and prepare for our conference opener next week."
 
CSU is now 6-1, which matches the best start to a season through seven games in program history.
 
Columbus State will kick off Peach Belt Conference play next week, hosting Augusta on Friday, September 16 at 7 p.m. inside the Lumpkin Center.
 
Match One
 
After an emotional come from behind victory last night, Columbus State wasted no time in establishing dominance over Culver-Stockton Saturday. The Lady Cougars raced by the Wildcats 25-9 in the first set, thanks to a .545 hitting percentage. After going up 6-2 early, CSU won the next seven points to put the set away. Seniors Kylie Beaubien and Andrea Skipor each picked up kills during the spurt.
 
Culver-Stockton (1-8) got off to a better start in set two jumping out to an early lead. However, it didn't take long for Columbus State to regain control in the match. Down just 5-4, CSU got back-to-back kills from Ashley Smith and Abby King and never looked back as they never trailed again in the set. The Wildcats tried to make a late comeback pulling within four, but Columbus State slammed the door shut, winning the final five points to take the set 25-16.
 
After the Wildcats prolonged the match by winning the third set, Culver-Stockton looked to extend the match to a fifth and deciding set. Through the early portion of the fourth set, things were tight with the Lady Cougars holding just an 8-7 lead. However, things quickly changed as Columbus State won eight of the next nine points to go ahead comfortably. CSU closed the match out strong winning the final five points, including getting kills from Skipor, Megan Frame and Zoemy Barreto Pereira.
 
Columbus State had a balanced attack with five players recording at least six kills. McCarty and Skipor led the way with eight while Frame and Beaubien added seven. Pereira recorded six as well. King had another good game collecting 32 assists, 10 digs and four kills. Caytlin Merritt had a team best 13 digs.
 
As a team, CSU hit .211 while having a season best 11 service aces.
 
Match Two
 
It was a back-and-forth opening set as the two teams settled into the rhythm of the match. Maryville held an early 13-9 lead until the Lady Cougars stormed back. A Pereira kill started a streak of eight consecutive points that put CSU in front 17-13. Pereira added another kill in the spurt while Frame and Skipor recorded a kill each for the Lady Cougars.
 
However, things didn't end well for Columbus State in the set. CSU held a 21-17 lead until Maryville rallied to get back into the match. The Saints eventually tied the match at 24 before winning three of the final four points to take the set 27-25.
 
The second set was very similar with the two sides exchanging blows. CSU started to pull away, winning three straight points to go in front 16-13. The Lady Cougars held on in front until Maryville made things interesting late. The Saints tied the score at 20 before the two sides began alternating points. In a 23-23 deadlock, kills from King and McCarty gave the Lady Cougars the set win and tied the match at one.
 
It was all Columbus State in the third set as the Lady Cougars cruised to a 25-10 set victory. CSU won seven of the first eight points and eventually built up a 20-5 lead before wrapping things up.
 
Set four was much tighter as Maryville tried to get back into the match. CSU played well early, going up 7-3 behind a nice four-point spurt. However, the Saints battled back and went ahead 14-13 in the middle of the set. In a 17-17 tie, Columbus State started to pull away thanks to a great run of serves from Sabrina Rodgers. Rodgers recorded an ace while Pereira and Skipor slammed down kills.
 
The Saints made it 24-23, but McCarty capped of the match with a kill to give Columbus State the win.
 
McCarty led the team with 14 kills while Pereira had 11. Frame and Beaubien each had 10. King had a career best 46 assists while Merritt recorded 11 digs.