CIU Rams Way to Women's Volleyball Tournament Title

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Columbia International completed the double as it added the 2022 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Volleyball Tournament championship to its regular-season crown on Saturday.

The Rams advanced to the final with a hard-fought 3-1 battle against fourth-seeded Reinhardt. The Lady Eagles nearly swept the Rams, but CIU fought six set points in the second set before winning it 31-29. CIU faced three set points in set three but took it 26-24. The Rams had an easier time in the fourth, winning 25-18 to advance to the title match.

Bryan notched a 3-0 sweep of Bluefield to secure its spot in the championship round. Abby Rector led the way with 13 kills.

In the championship round, it was all CIU. The Rams were dominant, winning 25-10, 25-8, 25-9. CIU recorded 43 kills and a whooping .407 hitting percentage. Kira Rymer and Alana Sanjurjo led the Rams with 11 kills apiece. CIU also notched eight total blocks with Jadaeya Morrell owning five.

Kamelia De Jesus of CIU is the Tournament MVP as she logged 38 assists and nine digs in the final. Joining her on the All-Tournament Team are Rymer, Hadassha Davis, and Kelcey Mangum of CIU; Abby Rector and Raegan Malugin of Bryan; Georgia Lewis of Bluefield; and Ambria McBride of Reinhardt.

Both CIU and Bryan earn berths to the NAIA National Championship Tournament.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, Nov. 10
Game 1 - No. 10 Johnson (15-15) def. No. 7 Truett McConnell (19-18), 3-1 (19-25, 25-14, 25-17, 25-22)
Game 2 - No. 9 Union (15-17) def. No. 8 Point (13-16), 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-23)

Friday, Nov. 11
Game 3 - No. 1 Columbia International (33-7) def. No. 9 Union (15-18), 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-21)
Game 4 - No. 2 Bryan (26-4) def. No. 10 Johnson (15-16), 3-2 (30-28, 25-19, 17-25, 21-25, 15-10)
Game 5 - No. 4 Reinhardt (19-12) def. No. 5 Milligan (18-13), 3-1 (25-11, 25-23, 17-25, 25-23)
Game 6 - No. 3 Bluefield (22-9) vs. No. 6 Brenau (14-16), 3-2 (19-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-17, 15-13)

Saturday, Nov. 12
Game 7 - No. 1 Columbia International (34-7) vs. No. 4 Reinhardt (19-13), 3-1 (20-25, 31-29, 26-24, 25-18)
Game 8 - No. 2 Bryan (27-4) vs. No. 3 Bluefield (22-10), 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-22)
Game 9 - Championship Game - No. 1 Columbia International (35-7) vs. No. 2 Bryan (27-5), 3-0 (25-10, 25-8, 25-9)