In the match against Malone (17-16), MVNU was led by senior middle hitter Shena Beheler with 12 kills, 15 digs, and seven blocks, while freshman middle hitter Jackie Albrecht (left) smashed 10 kills to go with four blocks as the Lady Cougars (34-1) prevailed 30-14, 30-19, 30-22. Sophomore setter Kaylin Austen handed out 37 assists, and sophomore outside hitter Courtney Springer and junior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham each pounded nine kills with Springer adding eight digs and three blocks. Senior libero Tiffany Milburn posted 22 digs and three aces, and sophomore middle hitter Stephanie Zollars tallied six kills.

MVNU, which is ranked 15th in the latest NAIA poll, wrapped up the day with a 30-20, 30-14, 30-26 victory over Houghton (10-19). Albrecht led the way for the Lady Cougars with 15 kills, while Beheler added 11 kills, 13 digs, and four blocks. Springer finished with eight kills, and Milburn registered 16 digs. Austen also handed out 40 assists, while freshman setter Caitlin Myles totaled a career-high nine digs.

“We did a nice job today and it was good to play a lot of people,” said MVNU head coach Paul Swanson. “We have to keep working hard in the back row and doing all the little things that add up to wins.”

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Tuesday night when MVNU will host Shawnee State University in an American Mideast Conference South Division match at 7:00 p.m. The Lady Cougars, who will honor the team’s two seniors prior to the match, will look to clinch an outright AMC South Division title with a victory.