Koalas Come from Behind to Defeat Tennessee Wesleyan on Senior Day

Pictured: (L-R): Seniors Kristin Wemes, Brielle Macatiag, Zoe Jackson, Head Coach Keyaira Stevenson (Photo Credit: Gracie Hicklin)

Columbia, SC – After dropping the first two sets, the Columbia College women's volleyball team won three straight sets to defeat Tennessee Wesleyan University (TWU) 3-2 in an Appalachian Athletics Conference (AAC) contest Saturday afternoon. It was Senior Day for the Koalas in Porter Gym.

The Koalas will host Montreat on Monday, Oct. 17, in their third-of-fourth straight home games.

Columbia College moves to 1-17 overall and 1-12 in the AAC. TWU drops to 1-24 overall and 0-16 in the AAC.

For the first time this season, the Koalas had three players finish with double-figure kills, led by Brhia Cummings with 14. Nya Grey put down 13, and Zoe Jackson added 10 kills in the win. Jackson added five blocks to her stat line.

Kristin Wemes finished the game with seven kills and tied a team-high in digs, 19, with Amiri Mason. Jenae Bygrave controlled the net with nine blocks (3 Solo-6 assists).

Columbia College appeared to be headed for a three-set loss, but the Koalas continued to fight. After dropping the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-23, Columbia College saw itself down 17-9 late in the third set, but then the offense picked up its intensity. The Koalas used an 11-3 run to tie the set at 20-all. Columbia College kept the pressure on, outlasting the Bulldogs, winning 25-22.

The teams exchanged points for the majority of set four, with neither team more than a three-point lead. After the Koalas closed the gap to one late, 20-19, TWU scored two points straight to go up by three, 22-19. Columbia College scored the final six-of-eight points to win set three 25-23 to force a fifth and final set.

The final set was a fight till the finish. The Koalas owned the largest lead of the set, three, 12-9. TWU scored three straight to tie the set at 12-all. From there, the teams went point-for-point before the Koalas scored two straight points to win set five 16-14 and the match 3-2.

Note: The Koalas recognized their three senior members, Brielle Macatiag, Zoe Jackson, and Kristin Wemes before the game.