BELLEVUE, NEB. – The VCSU volleyball team dropped its Friday match at the Labor Day Classic to Columbia International University in three sets, 25-17, 25-22 and 27-25.
The Vikings were unable to upend the Rams Friday despite strong attack efforts from Emma Lucas, who tallied 11 kills, and Morgan Freije, who collected seven kills on a .400 hitting percentage.
Valley City State drops to 2-4 on the season. Columbia International is currently receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll and improves its record to 7-4 overall.
The Vikings were slated to play a second match Friday evening but due to the tournament running about three hours behind schedule, the VCSU and McPherson volleyball teams mutually agreed to cancel the match out of concern for player safety. VCSU will conclude the tournament on Saturday at 11 a.m. against Carroll College.
Early in Friday's match, Columbia International took an 8-point rally to build a 19-14 lead that helped the Rams open with a win in the first set. The Vikings battled back in the second set, holding a late 20-19 lead on a kill from Freije. With the game tied at 21, CIU took four of the next five points to seal the second set victory.
VCSU then answered by opening with a lead at 11-7 on a service ace by Ellie Rush. From there, the Vikings continued to build up a 17-12 advantage capped by a JayCee Richter kill. The Rams were able to find a 7-2 rally that tied the set at 19-all. The teams battled to the end with six more ties down the stretch but CIU finished the match on a final kill from Hadassah Davis.
VCSU's Delani Clarke finished with a double double after posting 19 assists and 11 digs Friday. JayCee Richter finished with a team-best 13 digs and Ellie Rush added 13 assists.
Bailey Nelson chipped in six kills while Morgan Nelson added four kills, four assisted blocks and two solo blocks at the net.
CIU's Mardi Scutchings totaled a game-high 14 kills and Lydia Gustafson added six blocks Friday. Kamelia DeJesus totaled 19 set assists and Melissa Campos Soto finished with 18. Alana Sanjurjo and Kelcey Mangum each chipped in 17 digs for the Rams.
UP NEXT: Valley City State closes out the Labor Day Classic tournament on Saturday with a match against Carroll College at 11 a.m.
