CIU Athletics
Gordie Frierson, Sports Information Director
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Before Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, perhaps the most significant volleyball match ever played on the campus of Columbia International University was the Rams’ inaugural match back in 2018. However, that all changed Friday as Coach Amber Haver’s CIU women’s volleyball team knocked off Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) perennial power Reinhardt University three sets to one.
The win snapped an impressive 66-match conference win streak by the Eagles dating back to 2017. The streak is the sixth-longest win streak in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) history. Reinhardt went 21-0 in the AAC last season and once again took home the AAC Women’s Volleyball Championship. The win is especially crucial for CIU as the Rams look to make the AAC Postseason Tournament for the first time in their short history.
The Rams were led by freshman outside hitter Alana Sanjurjo and freshman setter Kamelia De Jesus. Sanjurjo had an impressive 22 kills while recording a hitting percentage of .316. De Jesus notched 50 assists from the setter spot while also playing a role defensively with three blocks.
“We remained disciplined during moments of adversity and played with grit during long rallies,” CIU Head Women’s Volleyball Coach Amber Haver said. “Everyone did their part, the athletes on the court, the players on the bench, and our amazing fans made this an exciting night for our program.”
CIU now has a record of 7-5 during the 2020 season and is three wins away from their highest win total ever in the conference.