MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. - After a setback last Saturday against Reinhardt (Ga.), the CIU volleyball team got back to its usual winning ways on Friday night. CIU traveled to Milligan (Tenn.) on Friday for the first match of an Application Athletic Conference (AAC) road trip. Despite struggling some already this season Milligan (6-11, 4-4 AAC) is an AAC staple, and every match on their home court is a challenge. However, CIU would barely be challenged this evening as the Rams took care of business, taking down the Buffs 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-20). CIU moves to 15-6 overall and 7-1 in the AAC. 

14 kills from Cintia Lorena highlighted the match as the freshman also recorded three blocks and four digs as she begins to make a strong case for AAC Freshman of the Year. The Rams had 16 block assists and three solo blocks as a team as Mardi Scutchings notched five-block assists, Ingrid Ferrari recorded two solo blocks and three block assists, while Kira Rymer tallied four block assists. The sophomore duo of Alana Sanjurjo and Kamelia De Jesus were potent offensively for CIU as De Jesus put up 37 assists, and Sanjurjo, the receipt of several of those assists, added 11 kills. Carla Cauchi and Karla Rodriguez helped protect the Rams side of the net as Cauchi recorded 13 digs, and Rodriguez led the Rams with 15 digs. Notably, the Buffs only had a .056 hitting percentage while CIU's was a much higher .273.

What Coach Amber Haver is saying:

"Milligan is a strong program each year. They have consistent defense and hitters that make very few errors. Our goal was to disrupt that. We played disciplined volleyball and worked hard tonight to hold them to a very low hitting percentage. Proud of the effort tonight."

Up Next:

CIU will finish up their weekend road trip at Montreat (N.C.) tomorrow at 1 PM.