COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU volleyball played their home opener Friday night against Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) foe Union College (Ky.). It was "Pack The House" night in the Moore Fitness Center as the Rams had over 300 fans in attendance. The home crowd was treated to CIU knocking off the Bulldogs 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-20). With the win, the Rams stay undefeated (3-0) in the Appalachian Athletic Conference one of only three undefeated teams left in the AAC. The Rams move to 10-5 overall continuing one of their best starts in program history. 

The Rams were stifling defensively against the Bulldogs holding them to 15 or fewer points in the first and second set. CIU recorded 11 solo blocks and six block assists keeping Union to just .010 hitting percentage. Cintia Lorena and Ingrid Ferrari displayed Coach Amber Haver's recruiting prowess as the newcomers accounted for nine of the 11 solo blocks. Familiar faces led the way for CIU on the attack as Kira Rymer picked up 10 kills and a .417 hitting percentage while Kamelia De Jesus chipped in 27 assists from the setter position. Alana Sanjurjo notched nine kills, 11 digs and led CIU in aces with three, two of which came at the end of the third set, which all but clinched the win for the Rams. 

What Coach Amber Haver is saying: "The fans were great tonight. Huge thanks to everyone that came out to our home opener. Our amazing staff did a fantastic job. We appreciate Chick-Fil-A (Decker & Forest Drive) for sponsoring our Pack the House event.

Coach Wise has a great program at Union. They are always a big threat in the conference. We only get to see them once a year, so we are glad to have come away with the win. Our serve receive did a good job for us, allowing our setter to have several options during each run. Hope we can repeat that tomorrow."

Up Next: CIU will host a tri-match on Saturday, Sept. 18, as the Rams play Johnson (Tenn.) at 1 PM and Bob Jones (S.C.) at 5 PM.