COLUMBIA, SC – CIU Volleyball played their final home conference game of the season on Saturday as the Rams took on the Bulldogs of Union College. The match was another crucial Appalachian Athletic Conference contest with postseason implications. Union entered the match at 12-4, but would leave with another loss in the win column. Coach Amber Haver continues to add to her team's impressive season as the Ram's ran through the Bulldogs in three sets, 3-0. CIU wins their 12th match of the year as they move to 12-6 in the conference.

How It Happened:
Set One: CIU trailed 11-7 in the first set but three kills in a short span by Alana Sanjurjo would turn the set's tide and match. The Rams blew by the Bulldogs with the winning kill coming from none other than Alana Sanjurjo to take the set one win, 25-17.

Set Two: Sanjurjo was dominant once again in set two as the freshman had 6 kills in the set. Sanjurjo had help from her fellow freshman Kira Rymer as Rymer picked up 4 kills of her own. CIU would win set two on a Rymer kill, defeating Union 25-18.

Set Three: Megan Lung and Gabriela Vega were critical in the final set as the two combined for 8 kills. The third set also displayed just how outmatched Union was as the Rams had 17 kills to just for by Union. CIU was the better team serving as the Rams had 4 aces and the Bulldogs had none. CIU took set three 25-15.

Game Notes:

• Alana Sanjurjo had her second-highest number of kills this season, while Kira Rymer had her season-high with 14 kills. Sanjurjo had .376 hitting percentage while Rymer had a staggering .571 hitting percentage
• CIU was led defensively by Gabriela Vega and Kamryn Dove who both had two solo blocks while Vega also recorded two block assists.
• Kamelia De Jesus had 47 assists from the setter position.
• The Rams had 7 aces, only allowing two from the Bulldogs.

What Coach Haver is saying:
"Union College has been such a powerhouse in AAC Volleyball. Coach Wise and Coach Thibodeaux do such a great job in recruiting and training that they're a top program every year. We knew we would need to stay disciplined and play CIU level volleyball to beat them. Happy we fixed the energy issue from last night and got it done in 3 today against a strong Union team."

Up Next:
The Rams will head to Minnesota to compete in the NCCAA Division I Volleyball National Tournament as the #4 seed. The Rams will take on #5 Dallas Baptist University at 4:00 PM on Thursday, November 19th.