MVNU (26-7) began the night with a match against Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College. With the Lady Cougars trailing 15-10 in the first set, senior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham suffered an injury on a play. Despite losing her from the lineup, MVNU rallied to take the set 25-21 and the next two sets as well 25-16 and 25-12 to claim the match. Sophomore middle hitter Jackie Albrecht (left) led the way with 16 kills, 12 digs, four blocks, and two aces, while junior setter Kaylin Austen handed out 37 assists. Junior right-side hitter Courtney Springer added eight kills and 17 digs, and freshman outside hitter Cieleste Rose tallied six kills and 11 digs in place of Hickinbotham. Sophomore libero Caitlin Myles posted 15 digs, while sophomore middle hitter Sarah Yutzy had three blocks.

In the second match of the night, the Lady Cougars swept Nyack (N.Y.) College 25-19, 25-15, 25-10. Albrecht, Springer, and Porto all pounded eight kills apiece with Springer and Porto adding two blocks apiece as Springer also served up four aces. Rose finished with a career-high seven kills to go with 12 digs, and Austen handed out 28 assists. Myles also added 11 digs, while Yutzy posted 10 digs and two blocks.

“The team really pulled together and played well after the injury to Audrey,” said MVNU coach Paul Swanson. “I was proud of the way that they became determined to win despite losing their senior leader. Not knowing how long she will be out, it is important that everyone steps up their play and they did tonight.”

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Saturday starting with an 11:00 a.m. match against Geneva, who went 1-1 on Friday. Then, MVNU will take on Malone University at 1:00 p.m. The Lady Pioneers posted a 2-0 record on Friday. The winner of the NCCAA East Region Tournament will receive an automatic berth into the NCCAA National Tournament at Colorado Christian University on December 4-6.