MARIETTA, Ga. - CIU volleyball opened play in its second early-season tournament in as many weeks on Friday as the Rams participated in the Life University Running Eagles Classic. Two wins highlighted the day for CIU as they knocked off Xavier (La.) in five sets and avenged a loss from the 2021 season, taking down Ave Maria (Fla.) 3-1.

MATCH ONE: CIU 3 Xavier 2 (25-23, 17-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11): CIU battled to a hard-fought set one win before dropping two games in a row. Down 2-1, CIU looked to veteran leadership to claw their way back for a convincing set four win. Up 9-3 in the match's final set, the Rams staved off a furious Xavier comeback attempt to get a win in match one of the Classic. The Rams had 62 kills as a team, with two players reaching double-digt kills in the form of Kira Rymer (15) and Alana Sanjurjo (10). The Rams also had four players with double-digit digs as Kelcey Mangum led the way in that category. Katie Nichols impressed for CIU with three aces, while setters Kamelia De Jesus and Melissa Campos Sotos combined for 49 assists. 

MATCH TWO: CIU 3 Ave Maria 2 (25-17, 25-21, 20-25, 25-15): CIU flexed their talent in the second match of the day, winning the first two sets of the contest. Ave Maria looked to make it competitive by taking set three, but a dominant 10-point set four win ended the match in favor of the Rams. Upperclassman Alana Sanjurjo and Kira Rymer have been the fuel for the Ram's offense since the season's onset and did not disappoint against the Gryenes. Sanjurjo picked up 14 kills while Rymer had 17 and a .457 hitting percentage. Jadaeya Morrell and Mardi Scutchings were solid at the net as Morrell recorded seven blocks, and Scutchings picked up four. Freshman Kelcey Mangum continues to make an impact tallying 34 digs against Ave Maria to go along with three aces. Melissa Campos Sotos and Kamelia De Jesus would again combine for 49 assists in match two.

What Coach Amber Haver is saying: "Great wins against great teams. Proud of the hard work these ladies are putting in. Looking forward to two more tough matches tomorrow."

Up Next: The Rams play tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 27, against Tennessee Southern and (RV) Life (Ga.) at 1 PM and 3 PM in the Running Eagles Classic.