NCCAA
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – Columbia International University won its first-ever NCCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball National Championship on Saturday, as they took down the No. 4 seed, Mid-America Christian University 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-20). The No. 3 seeded Rams were led by Kamelia De Jesus who notched 33 assists and 11 digs. Kira Rymer finished with 11 kills, while Alana Sanjurjo had 8 kills.
In the team’s first pool play match, CIU defeated No. 6 Trinity International University 3-1 (25-21, 27-29, 25-14, 25-21), as Rymer finished with 19 kills and a .586 hitting percentage, while De Jesus tallied 30 assists and 9 digs. The Rams then swept the host and No. 7 seed, College of the Ozarks, 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-18) as De Jesus led the way with her double-double of 33 assists and 17 digs. CIU then knocked off No. 2 Campbellsville University 3-0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-20) in its final match of pool play to win Pool B and clinch a semifinal berth. De Jesus shined again with 34 assists and 14 digs, while Rymer finished with 15 kills and Sanjurjo had 14 kills.
The Rams went on to sweep No. 5 Judson University 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-13) in a semifinal bout, as both De Jesus (32 assists, 12 digs) and Sanjurjo (12 kills, 17 digs) finished with double-doubles.
Kamelia De Jesus of CIU was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player and CIU’s Amber Haver was named Coach of the Year. The All-Tournament Team and other awards are listed here.