The first set went back and forth early on with the Lady Cougars (15-5, 2-2 AMC), who received votes in the latest NAIA national poll clinging to an 11-10 lead. Then, with freshman outside hitter Cieleste Rose (left) at the service line, MVNU rattled off seven of the next eight points to build a comfortable 18-11 cushion.

From there, sophomore middle hitter Jackie Albrecht pounded three of her four kills in the set including one on set point to give the Lady Cougars the 25-18 win. Junior right-side hitter Courtney Springer also had four kills in the set, and junior setter Kaylin Austen handed out 12 assists.

With the score tied at 3-3 in the second set, MVNU ran off seven straight points behind two kills and two blocks from freshman middle hitter Gina Porto as the Lady Cougars built a 10-3 advantage. The visiting Wildcats (6-12, 0-2 AMC) would get no closer than five points the rest of the set as MVNU prevailed 25-14.

Down two sets to none, Daemen started the third set well as the Wildcats took an early 6-3 lead. However, sophomore defensive specialist Caitlin Myles served the Lady Cougars in front 7-6. Following a sideout by Daemen, MVNU rattled off six more points in a row to go in front 13-7.

The Wildcats pulled within 15-12, but a quick 4-0 run by the Lady Cougars extended the lead back to 19-12. After Daemen closed the gap to 19-15, Springer served the team to six straight points to take the set 25-15 and claim the match as senior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham slammed two kills during the final run.

Albrecht led MVNU with nine kills and eight digs, while Springer and Porto both added eight kills apiece with Porto posting a team-high five blocks and Springer contributing three blocks. Hickinbotham finished with six kills and eight digs, and Austen handed out 29 assists to go with two aces. Myles also registered seven digs.

“It was nice to be able to take care of business tonight in straight sets since we are in the midst of a busy week,” said MVNU coach Paul Swanson, whose team will end up playing five matches in a span of five days. “Our offensive attack was well-balanced and we did a good job of executing.”

The Lady Cougars will not have much time to rest as they return to action on Saturday with the three-hour drive to Shawnee State University for non-conference matches against Kentucky Christian University and Shawnee State at noon and 2:00 p.m. respectively. MVNU lost in five sets to the 19-0 Lady Bears of Shawnee State on Tuesday night in a conference match.