BLUEFIELD, Va. - CIU women's volleyball (26-2, 16-1 AAC) is back in the driver's seat of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) after defeating Bluefield University (Va.) 3-1 with set scores of 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 25-15 on Friday night. However, CIU's enviable position had less to do with the Ram's win and more to do with a Reinhardt (Ga.) loss to Milligan (Tenn.) on the same night. The Rams now control their own destiny and will win their third straight AAC regular season title if they win their remaining conference matches.

Friday saw CIU drop set three of the evening, but Blufield's rally was shortlived. The Rams snuffed out any comeback in set four, winning by double digits.

For the first time this season, Gabriela Vega (12 kills) and Lydia Gustafson (11 kills) led CIU in kills. Hanah Weiss found herself in double-digit kills as well, with ten. Setters Melissa Campos Soto (7 assists / 14 digs) and Kamelia De Jesus (31 assists / 12 digs) were vital to both the defensive and offensive effort. Kelcey Mangum protected CIU's side of the night with a team-high 28 digs, while Gustafson solidified the Rams' front line with six total blocks.

Bellamy Fennell had a notable outing as well as the freshman posted three service aces and ten digs.

Up Next: The Rams wrap up their weekend with a Saturday matchup against Kentucky Christian at 11:00 a.m. EST. in Grayson.