The first match of the day was all MVNU as the Lady Cougars (16-6) cruised to a 25-9, 25-17, 25-19 victory over the Lady Knights (10-5) as everyone on the roster got into the action. Sophomore middle hitter Sarah Yutzy (left) matched her career highs with 11 kills and five blocks, while senior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham pounded 10 kills. Junior setter Kaylin Austen handed out 18 assists and tied her career high with four blocks in just two sets, and junior right-side hitter Courtney Springer tallied a career-high 10 assists. Sophomore middle hitter Jackie Albrecht contributed six kills, six blocks, and 10 digs, while freshman outside hitter Cieleste Rose led the team with 11 digs.

In the second and final match of the day, MVNU dropped a hard-fought 26-24, 25-14, 26-28, 23-25, 11-15 decision to Shawnee State (22-0) as the Lady Bears posted their second win in the week against the Lady Cougars with both coming in five sets. Albrecht led MVNU with 23 kills and 15 digs, while Springer pounded a career-high 21 kills to go with 16 digs and four blocks. Freshman middle hitter Gina Porto contributed 11 kills and seven blocks, and Austen handed out 58 assists. Rose also tallied 11 digs, while Hickinbotham finished with seven kills, three aces, and a team-high 17 digs.

"We had a chance to sweep the match against Shawnee State as we served once for match point,” said MVNU coach Paul Swanson. "We just did not play well enough or consistent enough to finish off the match. It is good to play good teams in order to get better and Shawnee State has definitely proven this week that they are a good team. We have to continue to improve in the back row.”

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Tuesday when the team will travel to Point Park (Pa.) University for an American Mideast Conference match that will get under way at 7:00 p.m.