By Gordie Frierson

West Palm Beach, Florida (Keiser University Invitational) - CIU Women's Volleyball wrapped up the opening weekend of the 2019 season with contests against Keiser University, Florida National University and Florida Memorial University on day two of the Keiser University Invitational. 

Match One: Keiser 3, CIU 0 (25 - 14, 25 - 20, 25 - 21)

Set One

• The Rams jumped out to a quick 1-3 lead against tournament host Keiser Seahawks. A service ace and kill by Megan Lung kept the Rams ahead, until back to back kills by the Seahawks would give Keiser the 1-point advantage.  Despite the valiant effort of sophomore Tyliahia Williams the Seahawks would extend their lead to 8 and eventually pull away 25 -14.

Set Two

• Freshman Gabriela Vega would set the tone for the Rams with an early kill but the set would stay close midway through the set. Another kill by Vega and errors by the Seahawks would keep the Rams within 3 until a series of kills by the Seahawks would push them ahead 16 -10.  A service ace by sophomore Bruna Barrozo would cut the Keiser advantage to just 4. The Rams would get as close as 22 – 20 on an attack error by the Seahawks before the set would slip away from CIU, 25 – 20.

Set Three

• Keiser would jump out to an early lead to start the third set but kills by Lily Tang and Megan Lung would keep the Rams in the set. The Seahawks would pull away 15 – 8 but the Rams would come storming back to cut the deficit to 19 – 17 behind more excellent play from Tang and Lung. A Gabriela Vega kill would keep the Rams within striking distance 24 – 21 but the Seahawks would prove to much to handle winning the set 25 – 21  

Match Two: Florida National 3, CIU 0 (25 - 18, 25 - 20, 25 - 23)

Set One

•  The Rams took an early 1- 2 lead behind a Lily Tang kill to get things started in their second match of the day. FNU would jump out in front of the Rams but the Rams would tighten things up thanks to kills from Sofia Larsson and Graycie Michelson. The tight play would continue until freshman Gabriela Vega would spark the Rams with three consecutive kills forcing a FNU timeout. Solid play from Megan Lung and Vega would anchor the Rams but wouldn't be enough to secure the win with FNU winning the set 25 -18.

Set Two

• Errors by FNU helped the Rams start the set out in front, only to let the lead slip away until a kill by Gabriela Vega would tie the set at 9. A kill by Lily Tang and an attack errors by FNU would allow the Rams to get back in front with a 11 - 14 lead. However, FNU would storm back behind a flurry of kills to steal the advantage away from the Rams and lead 19 - 16. CIU would be unable to recover and dropped the set 25 - 20.

Set Three

• The 3rd set of the match would be back and forth early with neither team gaining an edge until FNU would take a 3 - point advantage. A Graycie Michelson kill assisted by Mackenzie Sanchez would trim the lead for the time being.  CIU would fight to regain the lead but errors would hinder the Rams allowing FNU to hold a 7-point edge over the Rams 15 - 8. 3 kills by Megan Lung and a handful of errors by FNU brought the Rams back into striking distance 18 - 16. The Rams would take the lead a few points later on a Michelson kill to go up 21 - 22. Despite a commendable effort by the Rams, CIU would be unable to hold on allowing FNU to steal the set 25 - 23.

Match Three: CIU 1, Florida Memorial 2 (28 - 26,16 - 25, 14 - 25, 18 - 25)

Set One: 

• CIU would fall behind early and trail 11 - 14 when a kill by Megan Lung would ignite the Rams. A series of errors and the Rams would fall behind again 15 - 19. The Rams would then take advantage of FMU mistakes and coming roaring back to tie the set at 24 - 24 behind a Megan Lung kill. Heady plays by sophomore Mackenzie Sanchez would allow the Rams to get the 2 - point advantage to win the set 28 -26

Set Two: 

• The 2nd set would be tight from the outset. Ties and lead changes would be prominent until an error by the Rams would allow the Lions of FMU to open up the game and score 7 straight points and taking a 11 - 19 lead. FMU wouldn't look back and would take the set 16 - 25.

Set Three 

• The Rams started the set strong behind kills from Megan Lung and Sofia Larsson. FMU would surge ahead but CIU would battle back and a Gabriela Vega kill would propel the Rams within 1 point of the Lions. Despite solid showings from freshman Vega, Larsson, and Graycie Michelson, FMU extended their lead to 9 and eventually captured the set 14 - 25. 

Set Four 

• The fourth set would prove to the final set off the evening, as the Lions would lead from start to finish and never trail during the set. Bruna Barrozo would tally her first kill of the match during the set and Megan Lung would continue her impressive collegiate debut but FMU would take the set 18 - 25. 

Tournament Statistical Highlights 

• Freshman Megan Lung recorded 64 kills in the 5 game span 

• Mackenzie Sanchez picked up where she left off in the 2018 season and tallied 105 assists in the first 5 games of 2019

• The Rams recorded 20 blocks over the 5 tournament games, 9 of which came from freshman Gabriela Vega

• Lily Tang had a promising beginning to her sophomore campaign with 25 points and 18 kills over the span of two days

• Returner Bruna Barrozo had a solid start to her sophomore year with 27 digs and an .857 reception percentage during the Keiser Invitational

Up Next

The Rams will be back in action on Wednesday, August 28th as they host Columbia College at 4 PM and Keiser University at 6 PM.