In the first match of the day, the Lady Cougars (37-2), who are ranked 13th in the latest NAIA poll and were the top seed from the AMC South Division, downed Point Park (Pa.) University (25-13), the third seed from the AMC North Division, 30-20, 30-18, 31-29. Senior middle hitter Shena Beheler (left) finished with 14 kills, while freshman middle hitter Jackie Albrecht added 10 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore setter Kaylin Austen handed out 32 assists, and sophomore outside hitter Courtney Springer contributed eight kills and 11 digs. Senior libero Tiffany Milburn also tallied a team-high 16 digs.

MVNU closed out pool play with a 30-23, 30-26, 30-28 victory over Malone College (22-17), the second seed from the AMC North Division. Albrecht led the Lady Cougars with 13 kills, seven blocks, and 12 digs, while Beheler added 10 kills, six blocks, and 13 digs. Austen handed out 40 assists to go with four blocks, and Milburn registered 17 digs with two aces. Springer and junior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham also pounded eight kills apiece.

In the other match in Pool A, Malone out-lasted Point Park 30-14, 26-30, 26-30, 30-25, 15-8 to earn the pool’s other spot in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Cedarville University (24-11), the third seed from the AMC South Division, won Pool B as the Lady Jackets swept Notre Dame College (21-14), the top seed from the AMC North Division, 30-21, 30-24, 30-27 and out-lasted Walsh University (29-8), the second seed from the AMC South Division, 30-24, 30-25, 25-30, 22-30, 15-10. Walsh claimed the final semifinal spot with a 30-20, 30-15, 30-19 sweep of Notre Dame.

On Saturday, MVNU, which is ranked 13th in the latest NAIA poll, and Walsh, ranked 21st, will square off at 11:00 a.m. in the first semifinal, while Cedarville and Malone will face each other at 1:00 p.m. in the second semifinal. The two winners will then advance to the championship match at 6:30 p.m. with the winner receiving an automatic berth into the NAIA National Tournament in Columbia, Missouri, on November 28-December 1.

MVNU and Walsh split the two meetings between the teams during the regular season with each team posting a sweep at home. Cedarville and Malone have not met this year, but Cedarville swept the Lady Pioneers three times last season.

American Mideast Conference/NAIA Region IX Tournament Updates