August 2007 Headlines
August 26, 2007
Grand View gives Columbia first loss of the season
Des Moines, Iowa - The Columbia Cougar soccer team suffered a double overtime defeat at the hands of Grand View (Iowa) College, falling 2-1. With the loss, the Cougars drop to 0-1 on the season.
Columbia fell behind early, giving up a goal to the Vikings in the third minute of action.
Columbia’s Ross Matthew knotted the score at one in the 31st minute off an assist by senior Sam Gelven.
Both team were unable to score for the remainder of regulation time and through the first overtime period. In the first minute of the second overtime, Grand View's Chris Scott found the back of the net off a cross from Marcus Dawson.
The Vikings notched nine shots to Columbia’s seven. Zach Clem took the loss in goal for Columbia. Clem posted seven saves.
The Cougars return to action on Saturday, Sept. 1 when they host Hastings (Neb.) College in their home opener. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at R. Marvin Owens Soccer Stadium. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.
August 24, 2007
Cougar Softball signs two for 2007 season
Columbia, Mo. -- Columbia College women’s softball coach Wendy Spratt officially announced today that she has signed two new players to national letters of intent to play softball for Columbia College beginning this season.
The new players for this year include juniors Linda Diller and Holly Billman.
Diller, a 5-5 outfielder from Long Beach, Calif., comes to Columbia College from Long Beach City College where she played her freshman and sophomore years. At Long Beach she was named 2nd team All-Conference her sophomore year.
"I choose Columbia College because I really wanted more independence and because of the great tradition that the softball team has carried on for years," stated Diller.
Fellow junior Billman joins the Cougars after two years at Carl Sandburg College. This 5-5 second baseman from Tolono, Ill., was named to the Region IV Division II All-Tournament Team her freshman year. Holly also received All-Conference and All-Region accolades.
"I selected Columbia College because it seemed to be the best match for me to further my education and play softball," says Billman.
August 24, 2007
Lady Cougar Basketball signs Conners State College standout
Columbia, Mo. -- Columbia College women’s basketball coach Mike Davis officially announced today that the Lady Cougar basketball program has signed Keishell Paul, a junior from Conners State College, to a national letter of intent to play basketball for the Lady Cougars this season.
“Keishell is a very explosive offensive player,” said Coach Davis. “She adds quickness to our team and is a great late addition for the Lady Cougars.”
Keishell, a 5’7” guard originally from New Orleans, La., led Conners State last season averaging 15 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. She received All-Conference and All-Region honors during her sophomore year.
August 12, 2007
Lady Cougar basketball program signs Nacy Thornsberry
Columbia, Mo. - Columbia College women’s basketball head coach Mike Davis officially announced today that he has signed Nacy Thornsberry, a 5-11 guard from Missouri Southern State University, to a national letter of intent to play basketball for the Lady Cougars beginning this fall.
Thornsberry, who is a native of Springfield, Mo., averaged 13 points and five rebounds as a senior at Glendale High School. Last season at Missouri Southern, Thornsberry shot 50 percent from the field while averaging eight minutes per game as a freshman.
“Nacy is a pure shooter,” stated Davis. “She is very fundamental, a good competitor and will really help us on the perimeter with her size.”
August 8, 2007
2007 Cougar Athletics Fall Preview
VOLLEYBALL
The 2007 Columbia College volleyball team returns four starters and eight letter winners overall from last year’s squad (43-7, 14-0) that finished first in the American Midwest Conference in both the regular season and the conference tournament, second in the Region V tournament and tied for fifth in the NAIA Volleyball National Championship, hosted by Columbia College.
The Cougars will be led by a pair of returning All-American performers in junior setter Luano Branco and junior outside hitter Yi Zhang. Other key returning players include senior middle hitter Juliana Quadrado, junior outside hitter Erin McCaffrey and sophomore defensive specialist Jessica Williams.
"Our goal is to improve throughout the season so we are ready to compete for another National Championship at the end of each year," emphasized head coach Melinda Wrye-Washington.
Overall, the Cougar volleyball program, which dates back to 1983, has a strong winning tradition. Columbia College has finished in the top five of the NAIA National Tournament for the past 12 seasons and won National Championships in 1998, 1999 and 2001.
Columbia College will host the 2007 NAIA Volleyball National Championship again this year from Nov. 28 through Dec. 1. The top 19 NAIA volleyball programs from around the country will come together in Columbia and join the Cougars in competing for the 2007 championship trophy.
SOCCER
The 2007 Columbia College’s men’s soccer returns seven starters and 11 letter winners from the 2006 team that finished with and overall record of 11-7-1 and second in the American Midwest Conference (5-2).
This fall, the Cougars will be led by a trio of All-Conference performers in senior midfielder/forward Justin Robinson, sophomore midfielder/forward Lloyd Jacobs and senior defender Chris Wright.
“We have a good core of players returning that will be combined with a strong incoming class of freshman and junior college transfers.” said head coach John Klein. “This should be a fun group to watch as they work towards the programs second appearance in the NAIA National Tournament.”
Overall, the Cougar men’s soccer program has claimed seven conference championships (’89, ’90, ’94, ’00, ’02, 03, ‘04) during the programs 25 years with 17 different players being named NAIA All-Americans.
August 3, 2007
Cougar volleyball program signs Hanson
Columbia, Mo. - Columbia College volleyball coach Melinda Wrye-Washington officially announced today that she has signed Amanda Hanson to a national letter of intent to play volleyball for the Cougars beginning this fall.
Hanson, who will be a sophomore at Columbia this season, is a native of Columbia, Mo. The 6-0 middle hitter was a two time All-District performer at Rock Bridge High School.
"I really like Columbia College. It has a great reputation for academics and athletics and I think I will fit in really well," said Hanson.
“Amanda is very athletic and will really help us out in the middle position,” stated Wrye-Washington. “She is willing to improve herself and make adjustments which is a great fit for our program”