BLUEFIELD, Va. - CIU volleyball took on one of their few challengers in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) on Friday night as they traveled to Bluefield University(18-9, 15-4) for a conference match. Bluefield is currently in third in the AAC standings, but CIU (28-7, 17-1) still made short work of their conference foe, 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 26-24). The win all but clinches the AAC Regular-Season Title for CIU as the Rams look to win the conference in consecutive years.

After CIU won the first two sets, Bluefield did give CIU a scare in the third set, tying the game at 24-24. However, a confident Ram team did not crack under pressure as Kira Rymer, and Abbey Kleist recorded kills to end the set. Kleist and Rymer were the two players to record double-digit kills for CIU, with Rymer picking up 15 and Kleist collecting 10. Freshman Haddasah Davis also contributed offensively, with nine kills as the Rams hit a respectable .260 as a team. The majority of CIU kills resulted from Kamelia De Jesus' 35 assists as the setter also added seven digs. Freshman Kelcey Mangum led the Rams in digs with 17, while Rymer made an impact on defense as well with three blocks. The Rams did record four aces as a team, with three coming from Alana Sanjurjo. 

What Coach Amber Haver is saying: "This is a hard trip and Bluefield is not an easy gym to play in, nor an easy team to beat. Coach Gallemore has put together an excellent squad with some very strong hitters. They played a very competitive match against us tonight. We stuck to the game plan tonight and secured the sweep in a tough road match. Headed to Kentucky tonight and looking forward to doing the work tomorrow."

Up Next: The Rams will be back in action tomorrow in Grayson, Ky., where they will play Shawnee State at 11 AM and Kentucky Christian at 1 PM.