CIU Punches Ticket to Sioux City; Bryan Falls in NAIA Opening Round

WALESKA, Ga. - Columbia International will continue dancing as it advances to the final site of the 2023 NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championships.

The Rams defeated the visiting Pilots of Bethel (Ind.) 3-1 on Saturday in the NAIA Opening to punch their ticket to the final site in Sioux City, Iowa. The national tournament will be held Nov. 29-Dec. 5 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City.

Bryan also represented the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) in the opening round but fell 3-0 to host Viterbo (Wis.).

In CIU's win, the Rams posted a 25-15 set-one win to take the early advantage; however, the Pilots bounced back to take the second 25-22 to level the match at 1-all. CIU look as if it was going to secure the third-set win as it was up 24-21. Yet, Bethel rallied to even the frame at 24-all before a kill by Alana Sanjurjo and a Pilot attacking error sealed the 26-24 win for the Rams for a 2-1 lead.

CIU trailed briefly early in the fourth set. But as the stanza wore on, the Rams steadily pulled away, leading by as much as six points en route to the 25-19 set win to clinch the match victory.

The Rams had a block party with 14 total team blocks. Gabriela Vega led the way with seven total blocks with Lydia Gustafson adding six.

Gracen Norris led the CIU attack with 12 kills to with three blocks, and Kira Rymer Attaway followed with 10 kills and four blocks.

Kamelia De Jesus and Lexabel Rojas both posted double-doubles. De Jesus logged 22 assists and 16 digs, while Rojas had 24 assists and 11 digs. Kelcey Mangum registered 24 digs.

The Rams wer 32-1 overall and begin pool play in the NAIA National Championship on Nov. 29.

For Bryan, the Lions steadily improved throughout the match against Viterbo but fell 25-13, 25-15, 25-17.

Lillie Van Metre led Bryan with nine kills.

Bryan finishes the season 22-11