Volleyball Drops Heartbreaker in 5 to Brenau

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College volleyball team dropped a heartbreaker of a match 3-2 to conference foe Brenau University (Ga.) at home Tuesday evening.

Columbia came out firing, winning the first two sets by scores of 25-20 and 25-19 on an impressive 35 kills while hitting .419 and .448. However, Brenau came charging back taking the next set by a 25-14 score before squeaking out the 4th set 25-23. BU then got off to a strong start in the 5th set leading 7-1 and 10-2 before CC went on a rally to get within six at 14-8, but could get no closer as the Golden Tigers closed out the win.

Columbia totaled just 21 kills over the third and 4th sets and just five in the 5th as they recorded 61 kills in all hitting .268.  BU had 55 kills and hit .350.

Sophomore libero Katie Roberts reached a huge milestone in her career notching her 500th career dig in the match as she tallied 15 digs and 2 aces to lead the team. Juniors Maranda Bird and setter Debra Shephard also each registered double doubles with Bird hitting 12 kills with 10 digs and 3 aces while Shephard had 32 assists and 10 digs with an ace and a kill.

Senior middle Destiny Brown also had a nice night tallying 13 kills to hit .500 with a block while sophomore OH Tamia Fripp had 14 kills and hit .257. Senior setter Leticia Assen also posted 27 assists and six digs. Freshmen Kameron Turner and Lilly Almada also combined for 15 kills in the defeat.

CC falls to 2-15 overall and 2-6 with the tough loss while Brenau improved to 8-7 and 5-2 in the conference.

The Koalas will remain home to host Bryan College on Friday evening at 6:30 before hosting TN Wesleyan on Saturday morning as well.