In the tournament opener, MVNU out-lasted host Saint Francis (10-4), which is ranked ninth in NAIA Region VIII, to record a hard-fought 26-30, 30-23, 30-18, 23-30, 15-4 win. In the fourth game, the Lady Cougars were down 8-24 at one point before gaining the necessary momentum that eventually carried them to a win in the decisive fifth game.

Senior middle hitter Shena Beheler (left) pounded 15 kills to go with seven blocks and 15 digs, while senior libero Tiffany Milburn registered a season-high 35 digs and two aces. Sophomore outside hitter Courtney Springer tallied 15 kills and four blocks, and freshman middle hitter Jackie Albrecht contributed 10 kills, 15 digs, and six blocks. Sophomore setter Kaylin Austen (below right) handed out 41 assists, while freshman setter Caitlin Myles served up a career-high three aces. Sophomore middle hitter Stephanie Zollars also smashed seven kills.

“We persevered in this match to beat a very good team,” said MVNU head coach Paul Swanson. “By not giving up in the fourth game despite being down by a large margin, we carried that momentum over into the fifth game and won the match. The competition at this tournament is such that if you don’t play well you will lose because each team that is here is plenty capable of winning any given match.”

After a break between matches, the Lady Cougars, who received votes in the latest NAIA poll, returned to action and swept Berry (Ga.) College, which was ranked third in NAIA Region XIII, by the scores of 30-24, 30-18, 30-25. Beheler pounded 14 kills with five blocks and three aces to lead the way, while Zollars and Albrecht each smashed 10 kills apiece. Milburn and junior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham both served up two aces with Milburn posting 18 digs, and Austen handed out 37 assists. Springer also recorded 13 digs.

“We played really well in this match,” said Swanson. “We played with a lot of enthusiasm throughout the match, and we did a great job in the back row.”

MVNU will return to action on Saturday with pool play matches at 1:00 p.m. versus the University of Saint Francis (Ill.) and 5:00 p.m. versus 13th-ranked Georgetown (Ky.) College. The top two teams in the Lady Cougars’ pool will advance to either the championship or third-place match of the 10-team tournament which will take place at 7:00 p.m.