Columbia International University Athletics

For the first time in Columbia International University history the season got underway for the Women's Volleyball team. The Rams opened their season on the road as they traveled to Dearborn, Michigan to take part in the Early Bird Classic hosted by the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

The Rams opened the tournament by taking on the host Michigan-Dearborn as the Wolverines defeated the Rams, 3-1. The Rams lost, 25-13, 25-14, 25-27, 25-14.

1st Set Highlights:

• The first set went back and forth as the Rams tied the set at 11 with an ace from Kaci Hargrove.
• The Wolverines won the next three points before the Rams would get back on the board
• Dearborn won eleven of the next twelve points to win the first set 25-13

2nd Set Highlights:

• The Wolverines opened the second set by jumping out to an early 11-2 lead forcing a timeout by the Rams
• The Rams would work their way back into the set by winning seven points compared to the Wolverines five 
• However, the Wolverines would hold onto the advantage to win the second set

3rd Set Highlights:

• The Rams opened up the third set with a 4-2 advantage after two straight kills from Tyliahia Williams
• The Wolverines would claw their way back and the teams would tie at numerous times throughout the set
• The teams tied at 23 and after kill by the Wolverines they would be one point away, but after a kill from CJ Hinson the teams would be tied at 24.
• With the teams tied at 25 it was time for the Rams to serve. Rachael Branham was the Ram to serve. Her first was an ace and the Rams were one point away from their first set win ever. Branham stepped back up to the line and on her second serve the Wolverines had an attacking error and the Rams won their first ever set, 27-25

4th Set Highlight:

• Just like the third set the Rams would open the fourth set with the lead off a kill from CJ Hinson and an attacking error by the Wolverines
• The Wolverines would start to take over and jump out to a 11-6 lead
• The Rams would get back in the after kills from Rachael Branham, CJ Hinson, Kaci Hargrove
• The Wolverines would start to take advantage of the miscues and go on to win the fourth set 25-14

Box Score Numbers: Dearborn had 44 kills, while the Rams had 34 kills...Columbia International had 45 digs and Dearborn had 54...The Wolverines had 13-8 edge in aces...CJ Hinson and Tyliahia Williams led the Rams with seven kills...De'Asija Harden and Kaci Hargrove each had six kills...Hargrove led the Rams with 15 digs, while Mackenzie Sanchez with 26 assists...The Wolverines were led by Mackenzie Fuleky with 10 kills

Right after their first game of the season the Rams were right back in action against Mount Vernon Nazarene. The Cougars had fresh legs and used that to their advantage as they won 3-0 (25-13, 25-9, 25-18).

1st Set Highlights:

• On fresh legs the Cougars would race out to an early 8-2 lead and force a Ram timeout
• After the timeout the Rams would get the next two points off kills by CJ Hinson and Maiah Leon
• However, the Cougars would stay in control and win the first set 25-13

2nd Set Highlights:

• The Cougars and Rams went back and forth to open the second set with the Rams trailing 5-3 after a kill from De'Asija Harden
• Mount Vernon would control the rest of the match and win the set 25-9

3rd Set Highlights:

• The Rams got out to an early 4-0 lead thanks to service aces by Bruna Barrozo, Maiah Leon, an attacking error by the Cougars and a kill from Hinson
• The Cougars would claw back to tie the game at seven
• The teams would go back and forth, but after tying the game at 14 the Cougars would go on to win set three and sweep the Rams

Box Score Numbers: Mount Vernon had 38 kills compared to the Rams 20...The Rams had 25, while the Cougars had 36...Hinson led the Rams with 8 assists and 9 digs...De'Asija Harden had four kills and Rachael Branham had three kills...Mackenzie Sanchez had all 17 assists...Kristen Osborn and Tory Small had eight kills a piece to lead the Cougars.

Up Next: The Rams will be back in action tomorrow morning as they take on Point Park University (PA) at 10 am and then take on Goshen University at 12 pm.