#2 Volleyball earned a spot in the Region VII title game after winning their match against #3 Chatt State 3-1 in the opening round of the tournament for their first postseason win in program history.
The Lady Cougars started the match off strong with a tight 25-23 victory in the first set. Stephanie Burke had the first kill of the match for Cleveland State while also recording three straight to close out the set. Rileigh Barbour served three straight points, including a service ace.
Set two, Cleveland State fell 25-23 in another tightly contested second set. Aly Grace Lemons led the way with five kills.
In set three, the Lady Cougars won 25-23 over the Lady Tigers. Both Sydney Allen and Katlyn Knight served three straight in the set. Madeline Dasher appeared in a variety of areas in the frame, recording two kills, an ace, and a block in the set. Burke contributed another six kills in the set, including the set-winning kill.
Set four, Cleveland State stampeded to the victory, winning the final set 25-11. Loryn Wilson recorded a pair of kills in the frame and a block to open the set. Lemons recorded four kills in the set, while Abbie Stinnett posted two kills and a block.
The Lady Cougars will look to win their first Region VII Championship on Saturday, when they take on #1 Walters State at 1:00 ET at Chattanooga State. There will also be a special conference awards ceremony at 12:45 ET.