By Gordie Frierson

CIU 3 Truett-McConnell 2

Set 1 

The Rams jumped out to a 6 - 2 lead over TMU behind errors from the Bears. TMU would tie the score at 6 before a De'Asija Harden kill would help CIU regain the advantage. The Rams would extend their lead to 15 - 11 behind kills from Gabriela Vega. TMU would be able to hold off the attacks of Megan Lung, Vega and Harden however, long enough to tie the score at 16. The game would stay close until an ace by Harden would give the Rams a 3-point lead forcing a TMU timeout. A few moments after the timeout, another ace by Harden would end the set giving the Rams the 25 - 19 win. Freshman Megan Lung led CIU with 7 kills while having a  .857 hitting percentage. 

Set 2 

The Bears would take a 2 - 0 lead before self-inflicted errors and a kill from sophomore Lily Tang would put the Rams back in front. The set would display evenly matched play from both teams until strong defensive effort from Sofia Larsson and well-placed attacks from the Ram's outside hitters gave CIU breathing room, 14 -11.  TMU would strike back and jump ahead 17 - 16. Both teams would exchange errors and the Bears wound find themselves leading 23 - 22 at a CIU timeout. Despite the deficit. a handful of Megan Lung kills and a game-ending block by Lily Tang would give the Rams the 26 - 24 set victory.

Set 3

The Rams would struggle early and the Bears would take advantage, seizing a 7 - 4 lead. A kill by Harden off of the Mackenzie Sanchez assist would bring the deficit to 10 -6 but the Bears would stay in control. The Rams would try to keep pace but would fall short 25 - 18.

Set 4

A Megan Lung kill would jumpstart the Rams but they would still lag behind early. Errors would further plague the Rams allowing them to trail  10 - 4. An Aniya Marshall kill would bring some life back to CIU. However, the Rams would be unable to capitalize on the momentum and lagged behind 16 - 6 after a TMU ace. Everything would go TMU's way for the rest of the set and the Bears would win it 25 - 7. 

Set 5 

Gabriela Vega would make a statement to start the match with a powerful kill that would get the Rams on the board first. CIU's frontline would stay stout and kill from Harden would keep the Rams in front 5 -4. TMU would take a 2 - point lead but the veteran presence of Mackenzie Sanchez would settle the Rams down allowing them to regain the advantage, 10 - 8. A Megan Lung kill after a TMU timeout would give the Rams the 3 - point lead and CIU would be poised for the set win. Moments later after a Lung ace and a Harden kill, an error by the Bears gave the Rams the set 15 - 10 and the match 3 - 2.

By The Numbers 

• The Rams would once again see strong play from their freshman, as Megan Lung led the team with 23 kills and Gabriela Vega put in a solid showing with 6 kills and a block.
• Sophomore Mackenzie Sanchez was as steady as always for the Rams. She would record 45 assists, 14 digs, and 0 errors on the night
• Key sophomores Lily Tang and Bruna Barrozo would combine for 18 digs, while Tang would also lead the team in blocks. 
• De'Asija Harden would show up for the Rams in pivotal moments throughout the evening, recording 19 kills and 3 clutch aces. 

Up Next

The Rams will look to stay perfect in AAC play as they take on Point University on September 10th in Georgia.