COLUMBIA - After 12 straight matches away from the Moore Fitness Center to start the 2023 season, CIU volleyball hosted Union College (Ky.) in their home opener on Friday. Riding a 12-match win streak, the Rams would add another victory under their belt, defeating the Bulldogs 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-9). CIU is now 13-0 on the season and 4-0 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). The Rams have won five straight matches versus the Bulldogs, with their last loss to their conference rival coming all the way back on Sept. 13, 2019. 

Several young players, including sophomore Lydia Gufstafson and freshman Gracen Norris, highlighted this evening's contest. Gustafson recorded four kills and four blocks, while Norris posted ten kills and a steller-hitting percentage of .412. Second-year player Hadassah Davis added 12 kills over her own as senior Kira Rymer-Attaway impressed as usual with 13 kills, hitting .684. 

Setter Kamelia De Jesus (28 assists) and Melissa Campos Soto (21 assists) combined for 49 total assists, while Kelcey Mangum led CIU with 20 digs. 

As a team, CIU held control across the board with a .377 hitting percentage compared to just a .044 mark from the Bulldogs.

What Coach Katie Weiss is saying: "It was exciting to finally be able to play in front of our fans and great to see some of our young players step up and make an impact. We will need to stay locked in tomorrow versus Johnson and hopefully end the weekend with another win." 

Up next: The Rams will host Johnson (Tenn.) on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 1:00 p.m. EST.