KINGSPORT, Tenn. - CIU volleyball began their quest for back-to-back Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament Championships on Friday as the Rams dispatched Montreat (N.C.) in straight sets (25-18), 25-8, 25-13) in the conference quarterfinals. The Cavaliers have not taken a set from the Rams since the 2021 regular season, as the Rams are now 29-1, just one win away from their third consecutive 30-win season. 

Montreat tested the Rams in the early going of the first set, but CIU would settle in for the seven-point set win. CIU did not let up in the final two sets, outscoring the Cavaliers by a combined 29 points in sets two and three.

Gracen Norris did not shy away from the spotlight in her first postseason match as the freshman was superb with 13 kills and an eye-popping .632 hitting percentage. All-AAC First Team selection Hanah Weiss recorded ten kills and a block assist, while AAC Player of the Year Kira Rymer Attaway notched nine kills.

Gabriela Vega was impressive for CIU with six kills (.750) and four total blocks. Libero Kelcey Mangum chalked up her first double-double of the year with ten assists and 14 digs, while Melissa Campos Soto and Kamelia De Jesus combined for 32 assists with 16-apiece. 

Campos Soto had a career-high in service aces with five to lead the Rams.

CIU held Montreat to a .043 hitting percentage while CIU hit a blistering .465.

What Coach Katie Weiss is saying: "I loved what Gracen was able to accomplish today in her first conference tournament match. We only had six attack errors all morning, which is a big part of us coming away with the sweep. Hopefully, we can carry this momentum forward. We have almost 24 hours to rest up and prepare to finish the tournament tomorrow." 

Up Next: The Rams will play in the AAC Tournament semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. EST in Kingsport. If CIU is able to secure a victory, they will move on to the conference championship at 4:30 p.m. EST.