March 23, 2021 | Women's Volleyball
Rams head to Kingsport with eyes set on deep conference tournament run
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The CIU women's volleyball team will make their first trip to the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament on Wednesday as the seventh overall seed. The Rams finished the season with a program-best 17-11 record and the 4th best record in the AAC at 13-6. CIU will play second-seeded Reinhardt in the first round of the conference tournament on Wednesday in Kingsport at the Meadowview Conference & Resort Center.
The Rams split with Reinhardt earlier this season as CIU defeated the Eagles in the Moore Fitness Center, and the Eagles defeated the Rams on their home court in Waleska, Ga. CIU's 3-1 match win over Reinhardt on November 5th ended an NAIA record 66-match conference win streak by the Eagles.
Coach Amber's Haver squads have increased their winning percentage in each of the program's three seasons. The Rams have substantial offensive firepower and are top five in the conference in several categories, including leading the AAC in total kills with 1179. Despite being talented offensively, CIU has also had their best defensive season to date as they are second in the conference in total blocks and first in the AAC in total digs.
The Rams are one of the youngest teams not only in the conference but in the country as CIU will take ten freshmen, four sophomores, and just two juniors with them to the conference tournament.
Haver is looking forward to the AAC Tournament, "We are excited about playing in Kingsport. I am proud of what we have achieved this year, especially with such a young team. Sometimes I need to remind myself that as a program we are only three years old and I'm starting freshmen. Reinhardt has a great program. Brian Goodhind has ensured they win the conference tournament handedly each year. We are looking to change that. We are not satisfied in just making it to the tournament... we are heading up there to do some winning."
Wednesday's first-round matchup between the Rams and Eagles will be broadcasted on the AAC Sports Network. Click here to tune in.
