(Peru, Neb.) – On Saturday, October 2, Peru State played a double header with conference opponent William Penn University and American Midwest Conference foe Columbia College. The Statemen beat Peru State 3-0 to improve to 10-7 overall and 3-5 in conference play. Columbia College won 3-0 against the 'Cats to improve 18-4 overall on the season. The Cougars were 22^nd in the most recent NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
 
The Bobcats fell to 3-19 overall and 1-7 in conference play.
 
William Penn Action
 
In the first set of game 1 Peru State would score first off a kill from Dawson Sharman (Sidney) to make the score 1-0 for the 'Cats. After the Statemen would tie the game back up, Peru State would take the lead right back on an attacking error from William Penn to lead 2-1.
 
The Statemen would tie the game at 2-2 before the 'Cats would go on a 4-0 run to make it 6-2. Peru State would score by a kill from Haley VanLeuvan (Elgin, Ore.) off the set from Cassie Davis (Colorado Springs, Colo.), an attacking error on William Penn, and a kill by Alexandra Chavarria (Hollister, Calif.).
 
William Penn would come back and tie the game back at 10. The Statemen would take the 11-10 lead in the game and would never trail from this point on winning the set 25-20.
 
The Bobcats would get the first two points in set number two from an attacking error on the Statemen and a kill from Sharman off the assist from Cheyenn Birkle (Holden, Mo.) to lead 2-0.
 
William Penn answered with two straight points of their own to tie the game back at 2-2. The game would again be tied at four and six. The Statemen took the lead at 7-6 and would later lead by three points at 10-7.
 
Peru State fought back and would tie the game at ten. Back-to-back attacking errors would give the 'Cats a two-point advantage at 12-10. The rest of the game would be tight as William Penn would be able to come out with a set two victory 25-22.
 
In set number three the Statemen would score the first two points before an attacking error would give the service to the Bobcats as the 'Cats trail 2-1. The game would be tied up after a kill from Chavarria off the set from Davis.
 
The game would be back and forth until the Statemen started pulling away middle of the third set. William Penn would go on to win 25-16.
 
Stats
 
Birkle and Sharman each were credited with one service ace.
 
Chavarria led the team with nine kills as Sharman would be second on the team with eight.
 
Davis led the 'Cats with 15 assists as Hannia Rios (Toa Baja, P.R.) would add 11.
 
Birkle and Davis led the team with ten digs.
 
Michelle Beer (Salem) would have two block assists.
 
Columbia College Play
 
The Cougars would score first in set number one to take the 1-0 lead in the game. The 'Cats would come right back with a kill from Jamie Copenharve (Omaha) off the set from Rios as the game was tied at 1-1. An attacking error saw the Bobcats first lead in the set at 2-1.
 
Columbia would score three straight points to take a 4-2 lead in the game. From this point on the Cougars would not trail again. As they would go on to win set number one 25-14.
 
Peru State would start the second set off strong with four straight points off two kills from Katie Mendick (Bellevue) both off assists from Rios. Rios would get back-to-back service aces to give the 'Cats a 4-0 lead.
 
The Cougars would come out on a 15-1 run to take a 15-5 lead in the game. Columbia College would win the second set 25-9.
 
Unlike set two the Cougars would score seven straight points before an attacking error would give the service to the 'Cats as Peru State would trail 7-1. The Cougars would go on another 7-3 run to lead 14-5.
 
The Cougars would use the big run to finish the set to win 25-9.
 
Stats
 
Rios led the team with three service aces.
 
Chavarria, Copenharve, and Jaddy Duarte (Brasilia, Brazil) would lead the Bobcats with two kills each.
 
Rios led the team with five assists as Davis added four assists of her own.
 
Birkle added 14 digs for a team high and Alyssa Bock (Plattsmouth) was second on the team with nine.
 
Duarte added the lone solo block for Peru State.
 
Upcoming Games
 
The Bobcats will be back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 5, as they travel to Canton, Mo. to take on Culver-Stockon College (6-12, 2-5) at 6 p.m.