COLUMBIA - CIU volleyball crossed yet another historical threshold on Friday night as the Rams won their 20th game of the season, sweeping Truett McConnell (Ga.) (25-14, 25-7, 25-17. The win gives CIU their fourth consecutive season with 20-plus wins as the Rams move to 20-0 on the season and 11-0 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). The Bears entered the match with a formidable 15-7 overall record and an 8-2 conference mark. However, the first-place Rams continued their AAC dominance with another notable performance. 

The Bears jumped out to a 5-1 advantage in the first set, but the Rams would almost immediately righten the ship with a 7-1 run on their way to a 25-14 first-set victory. The Rams made a statement in set two, holding one of the best teams in the AAC to just seven points. The match's third and final set was hard-fought until the Rams broke open a 13-13 tie on their way to a 25-17 set three victory. 

Gracen Norris increased her case for AAC Freshman of the Year, supplying 13 kills and a .364 hitting percentage. Outside-hitter Hanah Weiss was stellar with 17 kills on the evening to lead the Rams offensively.

Both Kelcey Mangum and Lexabel Rojas led the defensive charge for CIU, as Mangum totaled 18 digs while Rojas tallied ten. Lydia Gustafson chipped in, keeping up her solid play around the net with two solo blocks

Serving played an important role in the Rams' success as they added eight aces to their season total. 

The Rams held the Bears to just a .056 hitting percentage. CIU has only allowed a team hitting percentage over .200 once through 20 matches. 
Up Next: CIU faces an established program in Reinhardt (Ga.) tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 7, at 11:00 a.m. EST at home.