Columbia International University Athletics

By Gordie Frierson

Match 1: CIU 3 Brewton - Parker 0

CIU Rams Volleyball traveled to Pensacola, Florida on Saturday to face off against Brewton - Parker College and Pensacola Christian College in their second tri-match of the season. Fresh off a win against Columbia College three days prior the Rams were intent on continuing their winning ways. CIU would take on Brewton - Parker in their first match of the evening. The Rams would come out on top in a close first set 25 - 20. The rest of the match would follow suit as the Rams won the second set 25 - 18 and the third set 25 - 21. 

De'Aisja Harden would lead the way for the Rams notching 13 kills in the match, with freshman Megan Lung not far behind with 9. CIU would record 15 aces during the match, 6 of which would come from freshman Gabriela Vega. Vega would also lead the Rams in blocks on the night, while veteran sophomore Mackenzie Sanchez would be at the top of the assist column. 

Match 2:  CIU 3 Pensacola 1

The Rams burst out of the gate in the first set scoring 6 points before the Eagles could even get on the board. A kill from Megan Lung would extend the advantage to 11 - 1 forcing the Eagles to call time and regroup. Moments later a Lung kill off of the Mackenzie Sanchez assist would have the Rams leading 14 - 2. The Eagles would come inching back and cut the Rams advantage to 19 - 11. CIU would put the set away however, as savvy digs by Andrea Salas and an ace by Lily Tang drove the Rams to a 25 - 13 set victory. 

A familiar site would begin the second set for the Rams as a Megan Lung kill would give her team the first point. But the Eagles would set the tone early and take 9 - 3 lead. A De'Aisja Harden kill would bring the Rams back within 3, moments later the Eagles would call a timeout after the score was evened at 10 - 10. CIU would move on to gain the lead and then watch that lead grow behind serviceable play from their bench in the form of Graycie Michelson and Aniya Marshall. A Marshall kill would balloon the Ram's lead to 22 - 15. The Eagles would not recover and a Harden kill would put away Pensacola 25 - 16.

Stifling front line play led by Gabriela Vega would help launch the Rams to a 10 - 6 lead in the third set. It would turn out to be the Rams last advantage of the set as the Eagles would win 25 - 21. 

Once again the tandem of Lung and Sanchez would propel CIU in the fourth set of the match. Tang and Harden would also be key contributors as the Rams took a 13 - 7 lead midway through the set. An ace by Bruna Barrozo would push the Rams ahead 17 - 9 and the Eagles would fail to keep stride with the Rams. A Lily Tang kill would seal the set for the Rams 25 - 15 and CIU would pick up their third straight match win in 4 days. 

The Rams start Appalachian Athletic Conference play Thursday, September 5th against Truett - McConnell University in Cleveland, Georgia.