Ozarks sweeps Bruins for MCAC title

Box Score

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Jennifer Nichols and Veronica Barrientos combined for 28 kills to lead the College of the Ozarks to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-19) victory over 14th-ranked Bellevue University in the championship match of the 2009 MCAC Tournament at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Bobcats improved to 26-10 on the season and earned an automatic berth into the NAIA Volleyball National Championship.

The Bruins fell to 28-7 overall after having their 14-match winning streak snapped. Bellevue will await word of its postseason fate when the NAIA selections are announced on Sunday.

Senior Rachel Muller was the lone Bruin in double figures with 11 kills, while adding eight digs and three blocks. Sophomore Maureen Wardian collected eight kills on .300 hitting while adding a pair of blocks.

Junior Katy Gregory and senior Gabby Pfannenstiel combined for 34 digs to lead the Bellevue defensive effort.

Freshman Jordan Broady dished out 26 assists, and added six digs and five kills in the loss.