WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — CIU women's volleyball split a pair of matches Saturday to close out the Cumberlands Quad-Match, defeating Bethel University (Ind.) in four sets before falling to No. 10 University of the Cumberlands.
The Rams opened the day with a 25-22, 19-25, 25-12, 25-20 victory over Bethel, extending their winning streak in the series to five consecutive matches. After the Pilots evened the match in the second set, CIU took control in the third and carried that momentum into an impressive offensive performance in the fourth.
CIU hit .324 in the third set before putting together its best offensive frame of the weekend in the fourth. The Rams racked up 20 kills with just two errors on 39 attempts, hitting .462 to close out the match. CIU finished with 50 kills and a .285 hitting percentage while holding Bethel to .168.
Mary Norwood led a balanced attack with 13 kills while hitting .357. Katelynn Mundy and Zcearia James added nine kills apiece, while Ashlee Gomes contributed seven kills without an attack error to hit .333. Sarah Lancaster added four kills and hit .273.
Maria Ferreira turned in an all-around performance with 23 assists, nine digs, four kills and two service aces, while Macy Brooks added 12 assists and nine digs. Ashley Burgbacher anchored the Rams defensively with 20 digs as CIU totaled 69 for the match. Savannah Kelly helped lead the effort at the net with two solo blocks and four block assists.
The Rams returned to the court later Saturday for a rematch of last season's NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship Opening Round against No. 10 Cumberlands.
CIU gave the Patriots all they could handle in the opening set. The frame featured 15 ties and five lead changes before Cumberlands edged the Rams 26-24. The Patriots carried the momentum into the second, winning 25-20, before taking the third 25-16 to complete the sweep.
James paced CIU offensively against Cumberlands with eight kills, while Norwood added seven and Gomes finished with six. Eevy Bellar recorded three kills without an attack error to hit .333. Ferreira handed out 14 assists and Brooks added 11, while Burgbacher led the Rams with 11 digs.
CIU leaves Williamsburg with a 4-8 record after going 2-1 at the Cumberlands Quad-Match, including Friday's sweep of Carolina University (N.C.).
The Rams now turn their attention to Appalachian Athletic Conference play. CIU travels to Gainesville, Ga., on Friday, Sept. 11, to face Brenau University in the conference opener for both teams.
