Cougar sub sparks win against St. Ambrose

• Columbia College extends its winning streak to eight.

Winder Montano, who leads the Cougars with 229 kills, took the evening off after the first set to rest for today’s match against Marycrest International, the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.

The Cougars didn’t miss Montano as outside hitter Patrick Bellrose, Montano’s substitute, led the Cougars (17-12, 13-1) with 10 kills.

St. Ambrose, a first-year team, fell to 0-10 overall and in conference.

“It was nice to be able to swing at the ball,” said Bellrose, who lost his starting job this season with the arrival of former Venezuelan National Team veteran Montano. “I try my best to back up Winder.”

The Fighting Bees were held to a 17 percent attacking against the much bigger lineup.

“We expected this kind of game from this team,” said outside hitter K.C. Trimble, who had seven kills. “They’re a scrappy team.”

Seeing rare playing time were 6-foot-5 Bellrose, 6-foot-6 middle blocker Brandon Whiteside, and 6-foot-9 Chen Feng, who is making only his third appearance since returning from a knee injury.

“Feng is just getting back after getting clearance from his doctors,” said coach Craig Sherman. “He did a nice job for us these past few games and once he gets back to full strength he’ll be another big part of our arsenal.”

St. Ambrose was led by outside hitter Travis Anderson’s seven kills and right hitter Casey Feeney’s 11 assists.

The Cougars are coming off a seven-match road trip and are riding a eight-match winning streak entering today’s critical matchup versus Marycrest (10-2, 10-2).

The Marauding Eagles are led by 1999 MIVA Player of the Year Mark Nowak, a 6-foot-5 opposite. Montano will be matched up against Nowak for the majority of today’s match.

“Mark is a big blocker and a big hitter,” Sherman said. “It will be the best matchup we’ve had all year.”

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