COLUMBIA, Mo. – (RV) Blue Mountain Christian gave No. 12 Columbia all they wanted here Saturday in the opening round of the NAIA National Championship, falling just short to the Cougars 2-3 (23-25, 25-19, 27-25, 21-25, 12-15).
It was the third straight year the Toppers have made it to the opening round, and the third straight they have come up just short of the final site in Sioux City, Iowa.
In the first, it looked like Blue Mountain would run away with it taking a 20-15 lead over the four-time national champion, but the Cougars stormed back to take it 25-23.  The first set would see seven ties to kick off the match.
The Volley Toppers answered the call in the second thanks to crucial late kills from Randi Crandall and two aces from Jaiyah Jackson.
In an exciting third, Columbia took a 14-9 lead, but the Toppers stormed back thanks to a kill from Kaytie Rutland and Rae Ann Hall, and a 7-1 run to make it 16-15.
The Toppers would come from two points down late in the set to see a Columbia service error and a kill from A'Dasia Porter to take the set.
After dropping the fourth set, the Toppers found themselves down as much as 2-7 but battled back to make it a 12-12 on kills from Gigi Sasso and critical errors by the Cougars.  Columbia's Ellie Rockers and Allana Capella would finally put the Toppers away with consecutive kills to grab the match.
"We have nothing to hang our heads about," BMCU head coach Reid Gann said.  "We played very well, had our chances here today and it could have easily gone our way, but it just wasn't in the cards.  Our ladies have put together one of the best season's not just at Blue Mountain, but in the nation and I'm so proud of everything they have accomplished and attained.  It's been a season for the records, and we believe we have built a program that will continue to reach new heights each year."
SSAC Player of the Year Gigi Sasso went off in her final match, collecting a double-double with 18 kills and 12 digs.
Setters Reanna Brown and Michaela Frederick also put together double-doubles in the 6-2, with Brown getting 28 assists and 10 digs, and Frederick collecting 21 assists and 13 digs.
Seniors Kaytie Rutland and Olivia Ashton finished their careers with double-figure kills, with both ladies blasting 10.
Jaiyah Jackson once again provided a stellar defensive outing for the Toppers, collecting 19 digs, many diving, and notching two service aces.
BMCU closes out the season with its best ever with a record of 26-2, a perfect SSAC record of 15-0, an SSAC Regular Season title, SSAC Tournament title and a 24-game high winning streak.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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