POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. — For the third time in program history, CIU volleyball is headed to the NCCAA National Championship title match after sweeping Ohio Christian University in Friday's semifinal. The Rams last reached the championship in 2022 and will now play for their second national title in four seasons on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT against the winner of No. 8 seed Sterling (Kan.) and No. 2 seed Grace (Ind.).

CIU controlled the match throughout, defeating OCU 25–21, 25–17, 25–17 behind a balanced and efficient offensive effort. The Rams hit .261 as a team and pulled away late in each set to secure the sweep.

Mary Norwood led the attack with 11 kills while adding three block assists, and Zcearia James matched her with 11 kills on a .321 hitting percentage. Freshman Eevy Bellar turned in one of her strongest postseason performances with seven kills on .400 hitting and five block assists.

Katelynn Mundy added nine kills on .350 hitting, while Carlee Groeneveld contributed four kills without an error. Setter Maria Ferreira distributed 20 assists and posted three service aces, while fellow setter Macy Brooks tallied 16 assists and three digs.

Defensively, CIU was steady once again, led by 17 digs from Kelcey Mangum and 10 digs each from Bellamy Fennell and Lesiray Nazario Marrero. The Rams totaled 14 block assists, with Bellar and Norwood combining for eight.

With the sweep, CIU moves one win away from another national championship opportunity. The title match is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. CT.