The rookies led the way as the Columbia Bible College women's volleyball team swept Walla Walla University in exhibition action last week.
The Bearcats, coming off a strong second-place finish at a tournament at Evergreen State University, crushed the Washington state visitors (25-11, 25-11, 25-17) at Columbia Place as the seven first-year athletes in the program saw extended playing time.
Maria Cupido led the charge with a solid 12-point performance – eight kills, two service aces, and two stuff blocks. Setter Sabrina Veikle had 20 assists and added five digs in her first significant floor time of the young season.
MEI grad Sharaya Schulte stepped out of her usual libero role for a set and chalked up a 50 per cent kill efficiency while hitting left side for the first time since junior high school. Kiana Stearns had three aces while libero Morgan Spanier had four digs and was solid on serve receive for the Bearcats.
First-year middles Haley Nickel (six aces) and Allysia Smith (three kills, three stuff blocks) also had strong matches.
The next action for the CBC women's volleyballers is against their alumni team at 3 p.m. on Sept. 29. The PacWest season will open with a huge home-and-home series against crosstown rival and reigning CCAA bronze medalist UFV Cascades on Friday, Oct. 12 (at UFV) and Saturday, Oct. 13 (at CBC).