CCU VB
0
Southern Wesleyan SWU 27-10 (3-2)
3
Winner Colo. Christian CCU 26-12 (5-0)
Southern Wesleyan SWU
27-10 (3-2)
0
Final
3
Colo. Christian CCU
26-12 (5-0)
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Southern Wesleyan SWU 15 14 17 (0)
Colo. Christian CCU 25 25 25 (3)
1
Colo. Christian CCU 25-14 (5-1)
3
Winner Trinity Christian TCC 38-10 (6-0)
Colo. Christian CCU
25-14 (5-1)
1
Final
3
Trinity Christian TCC
38-10 (6-0)
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Colo. Christian CCU 25 18 17 15 (1)
Trinity Christian TCC 23 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Cougars Soar and Then Stumble on Final Day at NCCAAs

Some days are both thrilling and crushing, all at once. Sometimes, within the span of mere hours, you can get just what you want…and then lose it. Saturday was that kind of day for Colorado Christian University Volleyball. Playing at the 2014 NCCAA National Tournament, the Cougars cruised through semi-final action only to lose in a disappointing four sets in the Championship Match. With their goal at their fingertips, the Cougars came up short. Anyone who has been there knows those are the losses that sting the most.
 
Still, time offers the blessing of perspective…and distance does too. Fans, friends, and family of those who gave so much on the volleyball court this year understand that. As Olympic medalist Beth Anders once said, "If we win or lose, it will not make a difference in our lives. But why we play and how we play will make a difference in our lives forever."
 
The why and the how were never in question for Colorado Christian Volleyball. Committed to giving their best for God's glory, the squad battled adversity, disappointment, and typical season setbacks from the start of their season in August.
 
"This was a season filled with many challenges – some of them normal and some I didn't see coming," reflected CCU Coach Verlyn Rosenthal Saturday. "The girls came to practice every day eager to overcome every one of those challenges. I so enjoyed watching each one rise to overcome her individual struggles. This was an enjoyable group to share life with. They love each other so much and that was fun to watch. Practice ended everyday with the team cheer family. I like that a lot. In their case, it certainly applies." 
 
Those challenges, plenty of victories, and unsettling defeats adjusted the Cougars' paths along the way this year. Eventually, the highs and lows of the season culminated in a trip to the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament. There, the squad strove to represent themselves as strong, able women of God who together were better than they ever were alone.
 
After breezing through pool play and then the quarterfinals, the Cougars woke up on Saturday morning with their sights set on a title. Playing on day two of the NCCAA event for the first time in program history, CCU squared off against NCAA II opponent Southern Wesleyan University to battle for a spot in the final.
 
As they had all tournament-long, the blue and gold dominated the contest on the way to a quick three-set win. A balanced team effort got the job done against the Warriors, as Taylor Sturms, Marnie McIlraith, and Kaylee Pierce each turned in double-digit kill performances. Setters Jordan Carswell and Jordan Kessler combined for 38 assists, and Carswell and libero Joelle LeFevre turned in a combined 24 digs. Five Christian hitters posted kill percentages upwards of .300, helping the Cougar squad to a .324 attack clip.
 
The result of this Colorado Christian family's efforts in the match was a lopsided 25-15, 25-14, 25-17 win and a date with the tournament's number one seed – Trinity Christian College.
 
CCU thundered out of the gates to start the finale. Though the opening set would see ten tie scores and five lead changes, a powerful Christian attack helped the higher-seeded Cougars come out on top. CCU hit an impressive .424 in that set, tallying 17 kills and just three errors in the 26-24 win.
 
Unfortunately for the Cougars, the positives would end there. As Trinity continued a strong level of play, Colorado Christian ran out of steam. Though they'd had their way at the net all weekend, the CCU squad could no longer make things happen offensively. As their hitting percentage dipped, so did their momentum, and soon Trinity was on their way to a four-set win.
 
"I'm proud of the consistent hard work that the team brought to this tournament," continued Rosenthal. "They played extremely well together and competed at a level above what we played all year. We struggled briefly on day two but worked out of it. Until game two of the championship match, all was working well. Trinity elevated their game and we were unable to match it.  They are well-coached and they played extremely well when their best was needed. Congrats to them – they were very good tonight."
 
CCU finished the game with 45 kills (.187), while Trinity's Trolls boasted 65 and a .322 kill clip. TCC also bettered the Cougars defensively, tallying 57 digs to CCU's 47.
 
NCCAA All-American and All-Tournament Team selection Taylor Sturms finished the match with a team-best 12 kills. Kaylee Pierce also earned an All-Tournament nod, in addition to Second Team All-American honors. Senior Ali Weber was named to the NCCAA All-America Second Team as well.
 
"Being in this tournament was an amazing opportunity for our team," explained Weber of her career finale. "We savored every second of it. We desperately wanted to come in first, but we knew that the most important thing was giving our best, as that's the true measure of competition, not the score board."
 
"It was difficult to lose something that meant so much to us; however, we did it with humble hearts. We were sincerely happy for Trinity. They are a great team that earned the title."
 
If it's true that the real measure of a champion is the sum of her work rather than the results of one contest, then Colorado Christian University Volleyball can celebrate a championship season. The team committed to work hard for one another all year, and focused on honoring God along the way. This is the perspective they'll gain one day…when the sting has worn off and the tears have long dried.
 
"I'm extremely grateful that I've been a Cougar for the last four years," Weber summed up after the dust settled. "Without volleyball, I wouldn't be at CCU, and my time at the university has helped me find and build my foundation. I hope that future players remember that it takes no talent to give everything we have, and that is all that God asks of us. 'Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.' This not only counts on the court, but off the court too!"
 
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Players Mentioned

Ali  Weber

#5 Ali Weber

MB/OH
6' 1"
Senior
Jordan  Carswell

#14 Jordan Carswell

S
5' 9"
Junior
Jordan Kessler

#22 Jordan Kessler

S
5' 10"
Senior
Kaylee  Pierce

#8 Kaylee Pierce

OH/RS
5' 11"
Junior
Taylor  Sturms

#3 Taylor Sturms

OH/DS
5' 9"
Junior
Joelle LeFevre

#7 Joelle LeFevre

DS/L
5' 9"
Freshman
Marnie McIlraith

#21 Marnie McIlraith

OH
5' 11"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Ali  Weber

#5 Ali Weber

6' 1"
Senior
MB/OH
Jordan  Carswell

#14 Jordan Carswell

5' 9"
Junior
S
Jordan Kessler

#22 Jordan Kessler

5' 10"
Senior
S
Kaylee  Pierce

#8 Kaylee Pierce

5' 11"
Junior
OH/RS
Taylor  Sturms

#3 Taylor Sturms

5' 9"
Junior
OH/DS
Joelle LeFevre

#7 Joelle LeFevre

5' 9"
Freshman
DS/L
Marnie McIlraith

#21 Marnie McIlraith

5' 11"
Freshman
OH