KINGSPORT - After being put to the test by Reinhardt (Ga.) in the semifinals of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament earlier in the day on Saturday, it was anything but a test for CIU volleyball in the tournament's title match. The Rams rolled through the reigning AAC Tournament champion Bryan (Tenn.) on their way to a 3-0 (25-10, 25-8, 25-9) sweep. The win gives CIU their first-ever AAC Tournament title as they become the first CIU program to win both the AAC regular season and tournament championship. The victory also gives CIU it's program record in wins, as they are now 35-7 overall. 

Domination was an understatement as CIU outscored Bryan 75-27 for the entirety of the match. Hitting percentage told the story as well as CIU hit .407 compared to just -.093 for the Lions. Junior setter Kamelia De Jesus was named the tournament MVP, recording 38 assists and nine digs. Kira Rymer and Hadassah Davis were each selected to the All-Tournament team.  Rymer recorded 11 kills in the tournament final, while Davis collected nine kills of her own. Kelcey Mangum was the final All-Tournament honoree notching 16 digs for the match. 

Two other key contributors were Jadaeya Morrell and Alana Sanjurjo. Morrell recorded five blocks to help CIU pick up 16 blocks as a team, while Sanjuro reeled in 11 kills. 

The Rams held the Lions to single-digits in multiple sets (25-8, 25-9) after the Lions had not had a single-digit set all season. Even more impressive, Bryan only had one player record a hitting percentage above .000, as CIU forced 22 Bryan attack errors, with the Rams only recording six errors themselves. 

What Coach Amber Haver is saying: "Mission accomplished." 

Up Next: The Ram will await their NAIA Championship Opening Round placement which will be announced on Monday, Nov. 14, via the NAIA Women's Volleyball Selection Show.