MOBILE, Ala. - CIU's No. 25-ranked women's volleyball team opened the 2023 season on Friday at the University of Mobile Tournament. The Rams faced little resistance in either of the season-opening matches as the Rams swept Florida College and then dropped just one set versus Webber International (Fla.). The matches mark the beginning of Katie Weiss' tenure as the Rams head coach and the sixth overall season in the program's history.
MATCH ONE: CIU 3 FC 0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-15): The outcome of any of the match's three sets was never in doubt as the Rams held substantial leads throughout the competition. As a team, CIU posted a .366 hitting percentage while holding the Falcons to a measly hitting percentage of .057. The Rams held the advantage in serve receive with five aces while not allowing an ace from Florida College.
The familiar faces of Kira Rymer Attaway and Alana Sanjurjo led the Rams' offensive attack, with an errorless Rymer Attaway supplying ten kills (.588) while Sanjurjo also notched ten (.409). Newcomers Hanah Weiss and Gracen Norris bolstered the Rams offensive onslaught, each recording seven kills.
Kamelia De Jesus (18 assists) and Melissa Campos Soto (11 assists) shared time at the setter position, combining for 29 assists.
The Rams were anchored defensively by Gabriela l Vega, who hauled in three of the Rams ten blocks. Sanjurjo, De Jesus, and Kelcey Mangum contributed to the defensive effort, making up 24 of the Rams' 39 digs.
MATCH TWO: CIU 3 WIU (25-22, 25-16, 19-25, 25-17): After two one-sided sets to start the match, the Warriors made things interesting by stealing set three from the Rams. CIU trailed early in the fourth set but would bounce back to secure the match win, largely thanks to a final set surge from Norrs. The freshman would record her first double-digit kill match of her college career, tallying 11 kills.
Rymer Attaway impressed in multiple facets as the veteran outside hitter hauled in 13 kills to complement five total blocks.
CIU recorded a number of attack errors, picking up 18 miscues, resulting in a .190 hitting percentage for the afternoon. However, CIU made it up for offensive struggles by holding Webber to a .157 hitting percentage and recording 12 block assists and a solo block.
After a quiet first match, Lexabel Rojas was a catalyst for the Rams' success with four aces and 12 digs.
De Jesus (16 assists) and Campos Sotos (14 assists) combined for 30 assists, while Mangum spent her afternoon protecting CIU's side of the net with 18 digs.
What Coach Katie Weiss is saying:
"It is always great to pick up two wins on the first day of the season. The girls have done a great job adjusting to a new system, and I was pleased to see both Hanah and Gracen come in and gel with our returners. Playing four matches in two days gives us invaluable experience here in the early portion of the year. I am excited for the challenge of facing both Dillard and Mobile on Saturday."
Up Next:
The Rams will continue play at the University of Mobile Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 26, taking on Dillard (La.) at 11 a.m. CT and the host school Mobile (Ala.) at 3 p.m. CT.
