COLUMBIA, S.C. - Due to the threatening approach of Hurricane Ian, CIU volleyball played an impromptu doubleheader on Thursday, taking on both Milligan (Tenn.) and Montreat (N.C.). CIU picked up two 3-0 sweeps over the Cavs and Buffs, which gives them 12 straight wins continuing their longest win streak in program history. The Rams move to 19-6 overall and 9-0 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). 

MATCH ONE: CIU 3 Montreat 0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-14): It was all Rams from the first serve as CIU breezed through their opponents from western North Carolina. On-point serving contributed to the win as CIU recorded five aces as a team. The Rams returned to a two-setter rotation as Kamelia De Jesus recorded 21 assists and Melissa Campos Sotos notched 13. De Jesus' team-high in assists helped her notch a double-double as she also procured ten digs. Alana Sanjurjo had a double-double of her own with ten kills and 11 digs. Three-time AAC Attacker of the Week Kira Rymer was impressive as usual, tallying 17 kills and a .457 hitting percentage. Fresh off her first AAC weekly award Kelcey Mangum led the Rams in digs with 13. 

MATCH TWO: CIU 3 Milligan 0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-12): The 3-0 sweep over the Buffs is arguably the Rams' most dominant win in conference play against a Milligan team who entered the contest 6-2 in the AAC. A .556 hitting percentage and 15 kills highlighted the match for Kira Rymer as she led the Rams offensively. Mardi Scutchings was excellent off the bench for CIU, recording 11 kills and hitting at a .421 clip. The Rams carried over their solid serving from match one with seven aces against Milligan, including three from Kamelia De Jesus. De Jesus again shared setter duties with Melissa Campos Sotos as De Jesus recorded 23 assists and Campos Soto contributed 16. Jadaeya Morrell was highly productive at the net with three block assists. Alana Sanjurjo led the Rams in digs with 14. 

What Coach Amber Haver is saying: "Huge shout out to the game ops staff and everyone who were willing to shuffle everything around at the last minute for these rescheduled matches.  I am extremely proud of these student-athletes who worked exceptionally hard all week in their classes and in practice and managed to find the energy needed to pull a JV sweep and two more varsity sweeps this evening. With the late match and the impending weather, we weren't sure if we would have fans this evening.  Rams' Army came out, and the energy was electric. The support means so much to us. Truly excited for the girls to have some much-deserved rest this weekend and looking forward to picking up conference play again next week."

Up Next: CIU will have a week of rest as they head to Point (Ga.) for a match on Friday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 PM.