In the first match of the day, MVNU (28-7) swept the host Golden Tornadoes (18-7) by the scores of 25-17, 25-18, 25-18. Sophomore middle hitter Jackie Albrecht led the way with 13 kills and three blocks, while junior setter Kaylin Austen handed out 33 assists to go with two aces. Junior right-side hitter Courtney Springer (left) and freshman middle hitter Gina Porto pounded nine and seven kills respectively with Springer tallying 18 digs, and sophomore libero Caitlin Myles led the Lady Cougars with a career-high 22 digs while also serving up two aces. Sophomore middle hitter Sarah Yutzy also posted three blocks.

That set the stage for the two undefeated teams in the tournament to play in the final match as MVNU squared off with Malone University (19-10) in a rematch of the NAIA Region IX Tournament championship match from a year ago. The Lady Cougars were up to the challenge as MVNU prevailed 25-20, 25-15, 25-22 to secure a berth in the NCCAA National Tournament that will be held on December 4-6 at Colorado Christian University. Springer led the Lady Cougars with 13 kills, 14 digs, and five blocks, while Albrecht added eight kills, 14 digs, and four blocks. Austen handed out 30 more assists to go with 13 digs, and Porto pounded seven more kills. Myles and freshman outside hitter Cieleste Rose registered 19 and 14 digs respectively, while Yutzy recorded three blocks.

“We played very well today against two good teams,” said MVNU coach Paul Swanson. “We were very consistent in the back row defensively and that really fueled our offensive attack. We really came together as a team and played through the adversity of losing (senior outside hitter Audrey Hickinbotham) to injury on Friday. It is great to win the NCCAA East Region title and give ourselves a berth in the postseason.”

The Lady Cougars will have a week of practice before putting their nine-match winning streak on the line next Saturday in an American Mideast Conference tri-match at Carlow (Pa.) University. MVNU will take on the University of Rio Grande at 1:00 p.m. and host Carlow at 3:00 p.m.