Despite dropping the first game, the Lady Cougars (15-1, 3-0 AMC South), who received votes in the latest NAIA poll, bounced back to take the next three games in a row as Cedarville (13-7, 3-1 AMC South), which also received votes in the poll, lost in the Callan Athletic Center for the first time since October 16, 2003, when the Yellow Jackets fell in straight games to Indiana Wesleyan University. The streak was also the longest current home winning streak in the NAIA.

Senior libero Tiffany Milburn (left) led the way for MVNU as she posted 27 digs and had just one error in 33 serve reception attempts to help set up the Lady Cougars’ attack. Senior middle hitter Shena Beheler registered a triple-double with 20 kills, 13 digs, and 10 blocks, while sophomore setter Kaylin Austen handed out a career-high 57 assists. Freshman middle hitter Jackie Albrecht (below right) finished with a career-high 18 kills and five blocks, and junior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham added nine kills and a career-high five blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Courtney Springer also tallied 19 digs and 10 kills.

“This was a great win for us,” said MVNU head coach Paul Swanson, whose team had lost eight straight matches to Cedarville until beating the Yellow Jackets on Saturday at the Best of the Best Tournament and then on Thursday night in conference play. “We were relaxed and yet played with energy and a sense of urgency all at the same time. Even when we lost the first game, we did not give in and believed in ourselves and what we were trying to do.”

“While we had a lot of players who did an incredible job tonight, Tiffany was probably our MVP,” Swanson added, referring to his senior libero. “She was outstanding in the back row and just set up everything we were trying to do offensively with great passing and defensive play. Shena was also dominant all the way around, and Courtney, Jackie, and Audrey all had great performances for us. This was a good team victory.”

The Lady Cougars will look to build on their current three-match winning streak when MVNU hosts a tri-match on Saturday that will feature a conference match against Ohio Dominican University at 11:00 a.m. and a non-conference match against Daemen (N.Y.) College at 3:00 p.m. in the Physical Education Center.