(COLUMBIA, Mo., Sept. 30)--The William Woods University volleyball team lost at eighth-ranked Columbia College 3-0 on Wednesday night. The Cougars defeated the Owls 25-22, 25-19 and 25-23.

In a rematch of the 2009 American Midwest Conference postseason tournament championship match, the Owls gave the Cougars all they could handle. William Woods played the Cougars tough throughout the evening.

In the opening set of the night, WWU tied the match at 21 before eventually falling to the Cougars 25-22. The Owls and Cougars were tied at 20 in the third match before Columbia pulled away for the win. William Woods has battled through injuries throughout the early portion of the season. The Owls were almost at full strength on Wednesday and showed a glimpse of what the league may see the rest of the season.

Junior Nicole Mannino (St. Charles, Mo.) led the Owls at the net with seven kills. Junior Lauren Fleming (Granbury, Texas) and freshman Nicole Lolohea (Salt Lake City, Utah) each had three blocks in the loss for the Owls. Sophomore Amanda Henley (Jefferson City, Mo.) and senior Brianna Rodriguez (Camdenton, Mo.) recorded 18, and 10, digs respectively.

The tandem of sophomore Emily Nolte (Higginsville, Mo.) and freshman Sarah Wehmeyer (Carrollton, Texas) ran the offense for the Owls. Nolte had 11 assists for WWU. Wehmeyer also recorded 11 assists. She also had two service aces.

William Woods falls to 9-9 on the season and 3-4 in the AMC. They return to action on October 2. The Owls will host AMC foe Harris-Stowe State University and Evangel University in a tri-match in Anderson Arena. Match times are noon and 4 pm.