"Rio Grande"

  Despite the impressive winning tradition that the MVNC women's volleyball team has compiled over the last 20-plus seasons, one thing that the Lady Cougars have failed to do often is win at the University of Rio Grande.

  However, all of that may be changing now. After twelve seasons of futility on the Redwomen's home court, MVNC finally posted its first-ever win at Rio Grande last season as the Lady Cougars compiled a perfect 18-0 Mid-Ohio Conference record.

  On Tuesday night, MVNC (30-7, 13-1) repeated that feat with a come-from-behind 13-15, 16-14, 15-8, 15-10 win in an MOC match.

  The first game was a see-saw battle as the teams traded points with the Redwomen (11-17, 6-5) coming out on top in the closely fought game.

  Rio Grande jumped out to a commanding 14-4 lead in the second game to seemingly take control of the match. However, the Lady Cougars roared back with 12 straight points to win the game 16-14.

  MVNC kept its momentum and continued to play well in the third game as the Lady Cougars won rather easily 15-8 to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

  The Redwomen took control early in the fourth game as they tried to prolong the match. However, after trailing 10-6, MVNC scored the next nine points to win the game 15-10 and claim the match.

  "We showed some of our competitive inconsistency tonight," said MVNC head coach Paul Swanson. "We had a chance to dominate the match but we didn't take advantage of it. Our lack of attention to details showed in the first game and part of the second."

  "However, I am very proud of the way that the team responded in the second game," added Swanson. "Despite trailing by a large margin, they did not give up. I thought that Tammy (Custer) had a great all-around match tonight."

  Custer played exceptionally in the back row as she recorded a team-leading two aces and 16 digs. She did not have any serve reception errors either.

  Meanwhile, Rachel Widener and Christa DeLorenzo supplied the offensive firepower with 12 kills each. Tara Seiter added 11 kills and a team-high four blocks, and Courtny Testa finished with three blocks.

  The Lady Cougars will return to action on Thursday as they host Ohio Dominican College in another MOC match. MVNC's NAIA-record 63-match home winning streak will be on the line in that contest.