Columbia College volleyball started its quest for the NAIA championship in dramatic fashion, eking out a 3-2 (25-23, 19-25, 25-27, 25-21, 15-12) win against Blue Mountain Christian in the opening round Saturday at the Southwell Complex in Columbia.

The first set opened up with back-and-forth scoring before the Cougars called their first timeout down one point to Blue Mountain, who led 14-13. The Cougars came out of the timeout and tied the set at 14 before the Toppers scored five straight to put them up 19-14.