LEBANON, Tenn. — A young (RV) CIU women's volleyball team showed plenty of promise Friday as the Rams opened the 2026 season with a pair of challenging matches at the Phoenix Classic hosted by Cumberland University.
CIU opened the day against No. 2 Eastern Oregon, marking the first meeting between the programs since the 2021 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship Opening Round.
The Rams were undeterred by the highly ranked opponent early, leading for much of the first set before the Mountaineers rallied to take the frame 25-16. Eastern Oregon went on to win the match in straight sets, taking the final two frames 25-20 and 25-16.
CIU's young core accounted for much of its production against one of the nation's best teams. Sophomore Mary Norwood led the Rams with eight kills, while freshman Ashlee Gomes recorded five kills and 10 digs. Sophomores Katelynn Mundy and Zcearia James added four kills apiece, while James also recorded an ace. Junior Savannah Kelly was efficient in the middle, putting down four kills without an error on 11 swings for a .364 hitting percentage. Sophomore Ashley Burgbacher led the defensive effort with 23 digs.
The Rams returned to the court later Friday and came within two points of their first win of the season, suffering a heartbreaking five-set loss to host Cumberland.
After the Phoenix edged CIU 25-23 in a back-and-forth opening set, the Rams responded with one of their best stretches of the day. CIU hit .379 with 13 kills and just two errors in the second set to cruise to a 25-19 win and even the match. Cumberland answered with a 25-21 victory in the third, but CIU refused to go away, taking the fourth 25-23 to force a decisive fifth set.
The fifth set proved every bit as competitive. The teams played through three ties before Cumberland escaped with a 15-13 victory to take the match 3-2.
James led a balanced CIU attack against the Phoenix with 11 kills, while Gomes, Norwood and Kelly each recorded 10. Kelly added a solo block and four block assists, while junior Ava Koselke chipped in four kills on 11 attempts with just one error.
CIU's setters helped orchestrate the attack, as sophomore Macy Brooks handed out a team-high 22 assists and junior Maria Ferreira added 21. Gomes continued her impressive collegiate debut with 10 kills, 19 digs and two service aces, while Burgbacher collected 16 digs. The Rams finished the match with 53 kills, 49 assists and 70 digs.
CIU closes out the Phoenix Classic on Saturday, Aug. 15, with two more matches. The Rams take on Rio Grande (Ohio) at 11:30 a.m. CT before facing Fisk University (Tenn.) at 4:30 p.m. CT.
