CIU Puts Together Strong Showing at NAIA Championship

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Columbia International went 0-2 in pool play at the 2023 NAIA Women's Volleyball Championship, but the Rams recorded a strong showing nonetheless.

The tournament is being held at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

CIU lost both matches 3-0, yet the Rams put up a fight.

In its opening match against No. 5 Viterbo (Wis.) on Wednesday, CIU got off to a rough start as it dropped the first two frames 25-9 and 25-12. However, the Rams nearly took the third set. A 7-0 run propelled the Rams to a 14-10 lead midway through the frame. CIU maintained a four-point lead for a bit, but a spurt by Viterbo evened the score at 20-all. The Rams rebounded and led 23-21 before the V-Hawks reeled off three start points for a 24-23 edge. A Gracen Norris kill pulled CIU level at 24-all, but Viterbo claimed the next two points to win the set 26-24 and the match 3-0.

Hanah Weiss led CIU with six kills with Kira Rymer Attaway following with five. Lydia Gustafson recorded four blocks.

On Thursday, three Rams posted double-digit kill totals, and Kamelia De Jesus notched a double-double. Yet, it was not enough as No. 12 Southern Oregon scored the 3-0 win.

Southern Oregon took the opening set 25-21, but it had to work to win the second. CIU overcame three set points to tie the frame at 24-all. Then, the teams went back and forth trying to score the set victory. CIU took a 31-3 lead following a Hadassah Davis kill. Unfortunately, Southern Oregon claimed the next three points to win the set 33-31 for a 2-0 match advantage.

CIU struggled to bounce back in the third, finding itself in an 11-point hole at 16-5. The Rams fought back to get within six but dropped the set 25-18 and the match 3-0.

Weiss and Norris led the CIU attack with 12 kills each, while Davis added 11. De Jesus logged 16 assists and 15 digs, and Melissa Campos Soto registered 21 assists and nine digs.

CIU finishes the season with a 32-3 overall record.