Columbia, MO – The Stephens College volleyball team wrapped up a competitive day of play at the Columbia College Quad on Saturday, facing two strong opponents in Columbia College and UHSP. The Stars opened the day with a hard-fought four-set battle against Columbia before bouncing back in the afternoon to defeat UHSP in four sets. The split moved Stephens to 24-12 overall and 15-2 in conference play, capping off another strong weekend of action for the program.
Match 1: Stars 1, Cougars 3
The Stephens College volleyball team put up a strong fight on the road Saturday morning, taking a set off one of the AMC's top programs before falling 3-1 (19-25, 29-27, 20-25, 23-25) to Columbia College inside the Southwell Complex.
The Stars (23-12, 15-2 AMC) battled from the first serve, trading points and long rallies with the Cougars in a competitive matchup that featured 15 tied scores and six lead changes. After dropping the opening set, Stephens responded with a gritty 29-27 win in the second, holding off multiple set points and capitalizing on key kills from Amari Branch-Autman and Fernanda Izar to even the match.
Branch-Autman was dominant at the net, finishing with 18 kills on a .400 hitting percentage, while Izar added 13 kills at a .429 clip. Lena Hunziker joined them in double figures with 10 kills and 13 digs, providing a steady presence on both sides of the ball.
Setter Emma Whitson ran the offense with 46 assists and added eight digs, while Jatnna Pena Perez anchored the back row with a match-high 27 digs. The Stars were also active at the net defensively, tallying 12 total blocks—four solo and eight assisted—led by Izar and Hunziker.
Despite the loss, Stephens showcased the same balance and intensity that have defined their season. The Stars continued to pressure Columbia deep into each set and showed poise in extended rallies, reflecting the growth and consistency that have carried them through one of their strongest seasons in recent history.
Match 2: Stars 3, Eutectics 1
Stephens College volleyball team bounced back in its second match of the Columbia College Quad, earning a 3-1 victory (25-15, 25-21, 22-25, 25-18) over UHSP on Saturday afternoon. The win marked the Stars' 24th of the season, improving their overall record to 24-12 and 15-2 in conference play.
After a competitive morning match against Columbia, the Stars responded with sharp execution and strong offensive balance. Stephens hit .294 as a team while holding UHSP to a .209 hitting percentage.
Amari Branch-Autman led the attack once again with 17 kills on a .467 hitting percentage, adding two aces and four total blocks for a team-best 22 points. Lena Hunziker followed with 14 kills and 14 digs, also serving four aces for 19.5 total points. Aaleah Woodard provided an offensive spark with eight kills, while Cagla Aslan and Natalija Obradovic added eight and five kills, respectively.
Setter Emma Whitson ran the offense with precision, collecting 48 assists and contributing six and a half points of her own behind a .667 hitting percentage, one ace, and a solo block. Defensively, Jatnna Peña-Perez posted six digs and an ace, while Syerra Mitchell added eight digs and four service aces to help control the pace.
The Stars set the tone early with a dominant first set, then powered through a close second frame behind Branch-Autman's consistent attacking. After UHSP took the third, Stephens regrouped in the fourth and sealed the win with a 25-18 finish to close out the day on a high note.
