In the first match, MVNU (28-1) defeated Geneva (Pa.) College 30-22, 30-24, 30-24 as senior middle hitter Shena Beheler led the way with 14 kills, 10 digs, nine blocks, and two aces. Sophomore outside hitter Courtney Springer (left) also pounded 14 kills with five blocks, and sophomore setter Kaylin Austen handed out 45 assists. Freshman middle hitter Jackie Albrecht smashed 10 kills with nine digs, while senior libero Tiffany Milburn posted 17 digs. Junior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham and sophomore middle hitter Stephanie Zollars also finished with seven kills apiece.

In the second match of the night, the Lady Cougars, who are ranked 17th in the latest NAIA poll, swept Malone College 32-30, 30-25, 30-21. Beheler again the led way with 11 kills, 10 digs, and four blocks, while Springer tallied nine kills and 10 digs. Albrecht, Hickinbotham, and Zollars each smashed eight kills apiece with Zollars contributing two blocks and Hickinbotham serving up two aces. Austen finished with 35 assists and two blocks, and Milburn recorded 22 digs and three aces.

“We did what we needed to do in order to win tonight,” said MVNU head coach Paul Swanson. “Both Geneva and Malone played well against us, but we were able to get the job done. We need to come out tomorrow and step up our level of play as we work to keep getting better.”

The Lady Cougars will face host Roberts Wesleyan at 10:00 a.m. and will then take on Carlow (Pa.) University at noon. The winner of the NCCAA East Region Tournament receives an automatic berth into the NCCAA National Tournament unless they qualify for the NAIA National Tournament which takes place at the same time.