SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Tyson Event Center) - A third-set comeback attempt was denied by Viterbo (Wis.) as CIU women's volleyball dropped their first match of NAIA National Championship Pool Play 3-0 (25-9, 25-13, 26-24). The loss is the Rams' first since a slip-up against Bryan College (Tenn.) back on Oct. 14 and just the second defeat of the season for CIU (32-2).

The match marked the first contest at an NAIA National Championship final-round site for CIU in the six-year history of the women's volleyball program. 

It took two sets for CIU to get their bearings in an unfamiliar setting as the V-Hawks took advantage of their own NAIA championship experience, picking up wins in sets one and two. The Rams recovered nicely in set three, capitalizing on several Viterbo attack errors to seize a 14-10 advantage. CIU would seemingly have the set in hand as a Lydia Gustafson kill put the Rams up 23-21. However, the V-Hawks responded by outpacing the Rams with a comeback of their own for the 26-24 set victory. 

Hanah Weiss led the Rams offensively with six kills, while Kira Rymer Attaway and Hadassah Davis each posted five. 

Graduate Setter Melissa Campos Soto tallied 13 assists to set up her teammates, while Kamelia De Jesus chalked up eight assists and nine digs. 

The Rams were led defensively by Gustafson (four block assists) and Gracen Norris (three block assists), while Kelcey Mangum recorded seven digs. 

What Coach Katie Weiss is saying: "Disappointing start for us at the national tournament. We struggled to pass and execute in the first two sets. We improved our defense and offense in the third set but weren't able to win a set against Viterbo. We hope to refocus and play a better match tomorrow."

Up Next: The Rams will play their final match of NAIA Championship Pool Play, facing Southern Oregon at 4:00 p.m. CT in the Tyson Event Center.