St. Louis, Mo. - The Stars traveled for the first time in program history to the second round of the AMC Conference tournament to play against Columbia College Cougars and lost 0-3 (11-25, 18-25, 17-25).
The Cougars dominated the start of the set with a 5-point streak. However, the Stars managed to get on the board when a service error favored them. A strategic move, a dump from Avery Hays, gave the Stars another opportunity, but despite their efforts, the Cougars maintained control and secured the set 11-25.
Despite trailing behind the Cougars initially, the Stars quickly turned the momentum around with a pivotal kill from senior middle Jamie Russell. The game's dynamics shifted further when senior libero Genevieve Nickelson delivered an ace, compelling the Cougars to call a timeout. The Stars continued their resurgence with an excellent serve received from Isabelle Benson, setting up another powerful kill by Russell. The game intensified as Benson executed a precise kill down the line, tying the score at 17-17. However, despite their spirited comeback, the Stars couldn't maintain the momentum, ultimately losing the second set 18-25.
A pivotal moment in the match occurred when a double block from Rylee Collins and Russell swung the momentum back in favor of the Stars, tying the game at 5-5. Head coach Trevor Koelling's strategic timeout allowed the Stars to regroup and make a comeback. Despite their efforts, the Stars couldn't sustain their momentum, leading to a final score of 17-25 in favor of the Cougars. The match showcased moments of resilience and strategic play, but ultimately the Cougars emerged victorious in this set.
In Koelling's reflections on the last game of the 2023 season, he expressed immense pride in the team's achievements and the history they created throughout the year. Despite the loss, the season was deemed successful in many ways. The departing seniors, Genna and Avery were acknowledged for making a lasting impact on both the college and the program, setting a new standard and serving as exemplary leaders for their teammates. While their absence will be felt, Coach Koelling expressed confidence in the team's potential for future improvement, emphasizing that the foundation laid by the departing seniors will contribute to the team's ongoing success.
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