COLUMBIA, S.C. — For the second time in as many days, CIU women's volleyball avenged an early-season conference loss, this time sweeping Appalachian Athletic Conference rival Reinhardt University 25-21, 25-17, 25-22 Saturday morning inside the Moore Fitness Center.
The victory carried significant postseason implications as the Rams and Eagles entered the final stretch of the regular season battling for second place in the AAC standings. CIU improved to 18-12 overall and 14-4 in conference play, picking up its sixth consecutive AAC victory.
After dispatching Brenau University in straight sets Friday night, CIU faced another challenging opponent in Reinhardt, which entered Saturday's contest with a 20-5 overall record.
The Rams gained the upper hand in the opening frame despite hitting just .034. CIU's defense proved decisive, forcing Reinhardt into 12 attack errors and a negative .056 hitting percentage to secure a 25-21 victory.
CIU raised its level of play in the second, putting down 13 kills while hitting .235. The Rams limited the Eagles to just eight kills in the frame, pulling away for a convincing 25-17 win to move within one set of the sweep.
Reinhardt mounted its toughest challenge in the third, but CIU responded with its most productive offensive set of the morning. The Rams recorded 16 kills and hit .262, holding off the Eagles 25-22 to complete the victory.
Mary Norwood led CIU with 15 kills while hitting .400. Zcearia James added 11 kills, while Katelynn Mundy contributed five. The Rams finished with 37 kills and a .190 hitting percentage while holding Reinhardt to a .089 mark.
CIU's blocking also played a role in the victory, with the Rams recording four solo blocks and four block assists. Senior Ava Koselke collected two solo blocks and two block assists, while Norwood added a solo block and a block assist.
Macy Brooks finished with 32 assists, 11 digs and a service ace, while Ashley Burgbacher added 10 digs. Fellow senior Alexa Brownell contributed three service aces as the Rams totaled seven on the morning.
CIU closes out its regular-season schedule Friday, Oct. 30, when the Rams travel across town to face Columbia College.
