MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat volleyball team saw its two-game winning streak snapped by the Columbia International University Rams inside McAlister Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Cavs dropped to 6-8 (2-6 AAC) on the year.
 
A strong CIU attack allowed the Rams to get on the front foot immediately. Powered by a 0.414 hitting percentage and 14 kills, the visitors claimed the opening frame by a score of 25-16. Haley Horton, despite the set defeat, notched a team-high five kills with a 0.571 hitting percentage in the first set alone.
 
Columbia International (16-6, 8-1 AAC) ramped up its offense in the second, but it was the Cavaliers who saw themselves with a 17-13 lead following a 7-1 run midway through the set. Although it seemed as if Montreat was going to level the match at one, the Rams went up 2-0 with a tight three-point victory.
 
In a back-and-forth third frame where the Cavs attempted to extend the contest to a fourth set, the teams traded 17 consecutive points in the middle of the set, which resulted in nine ties. Though the Cavaliers hung with the visitors, Montreat ultimately fell 25-21 in a close final set.
 
"Regardless of the result, the girls left everything they had out on the court today," mentioned head coach Haley Paonessa. "Our team now has the confidence to compete with anyone in our league," she finished.
 
Horton ended the afternoon with a team-best 10 kills, Katie James concluded with 14 assists to lead the squad and Kamryn Wolf added nine digs defensively. Overall, the Rams registered 49 kills and a 0.300 hitting percentage compared to the Cavs' 32 kills and 0.152 hitting percentage, which was the difference in the match.
 
Volleyball is back on the court when the Cavaliers travel to Bluefield University on Tuesday. First serve in Virginia is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Montreat fans will not be allowed to attend the match per Bluefield's COVID restrictions.