In the first match of the day, the Lady Cougars (12-3), who are ranked No. 21 in the latest NAIA poll, defeated Trinity International (3-15) 25-22, 25-17, 16-25, 25-14. Sophomore middle hitter Jackie Albrecht pounded 21 kills to go with 22 digs and three blocks, while freshman middle hitter Gina Porto added 11 kills and three blocks. Junior right-side hitter Courtney Springer registered 10 kills and 18 digs, and junior setter Kaylin Austen (left) handed out 50 assists with 14 digs. Senior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham and freshman outside hitter Cieleste Rose posted 19 and 10 digs respectively with Hickinbotham pounding eight kills. Meanwhile, sophomore middle hitter Sarah Yutzy also tallied three blocks.

"We played well in the first two sets, but we were not very consistent in the third set,” said MVNU coach Paul Swanson, who increased his NAIA-record wins total to 861 victories. "We bounced back and played well in the fourth set.”

The victory set up a meeting between the two all-time winningest programs in NAIA volleyball history as the host Lady Trojans (12-3) entered the match with 988 victories while the Lady Cougars stood right behind them at 954 program wins. In a hard-fought match, MVNU rallied to come out on top 16-25, 25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 18-16. Albrecht led the way once again with 21 kills and 24 digs, while Springer added 13 kills, 24 digs, three blocks, and three aces. Porto contributed nine kills and five blocks, and Austen handed out 48 assists with 13 digs. Hickinbotham recorded 18 digs and three blocks, while Rose and sophomore defensive specialist Caitlin Myles both registered nine digs apiece.

"(Taylor) played really well in the first set and they had a big crowd there to support them,” said Swanson. "After a slow start in the second set, we were finally about to get things going and rallied to take the second set and even the match. Both teams had a chance for match point in the fifth set, but we were able to complete the comeback with the win. This was a great win for us.”

The Lady Cougars will be right back at it on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. when MVNU will square off against Spring Arbor (Mich.) University. Then, the Lady Cougars will take on NAIA No. 19 Campbellsville (Ky.) University at 1:30 p.m. to wrap up the tournament.