FORT WAYNE, Ind. - CIU volleyball wrapped its trip to the Onset Inviational on Saturday. The Rams would fall to (RV) Cornerstone University (Mich.) in the first match of the day, but bounced back to take down IU East in the second match.

Match One: CIU volleyball opened the final day of the Onset Invitational with a hard-fought four-set battle against Cornerstone, ultimately falling 3–1 (13–25, 20–25, 25–22, 17–25).

After dropping the first two sets, the Rams found their rhythm in the third, hitting .282 as a team to claim the frame 25–22. Zcearia James led the attack with 11 kills and 11 digs, while Mary Norwood added 10 kills. Katelynn Mundy provided an additional spark at the net with eight kills and two blocks, helping CIU gain momentum.

Setter Skylar Dewhirst paced the offense with 31 assists and chipped in 10 digs for a double-double. On the defensive side, libero Kelcey Mangum was a force in the back row with 27 digs, while freshman Eevy Bellar contributed seven blocks. Despite the strong third-set surge, Cornerstone regained control in the fourth to close out the match.

Match Two: In the second match of the day, CIU responded, earning its first win of the season with a 3–1 victory over IU East (22–25, 25–18, 25–23, 25–22).

After narrowly dropping the opening set, the Rams stormed back in set two, hitting .441 as a team to even the match. CIU then leaned on a balanced attack to edge out the final two sets. Three Rams finished in double-digit kills, with Gustafson hitting a blistering .522 while putting down 12 kills and adding seven blocks at the net. Bellar matched her impact with 13 kills and four blocks, and Mundy also tallied 13 kills.

 Dewhirst directed the offense with a career-best 49 assists while also collecting 14 digs. On defense, Mangum held down the back row with 25 digs, and James added 11 more to go along with four kills.

Up Next: CIU returns to Indiana for the Bethel Invite on Aug. 29 through Aug. 30.