COLUMBIA, S.C.— Montreat College's volleyball team continued its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) slate with a matchup against the Columbia International University Rams Tuesday evening. The Cavaliers lost in three sets on the road by scores of 25-9, 25-13 and 25-13. With the defeat, Montreat moved to 0-13 overall and 0-13 in the conference. Meanwhile, the hosts improved to 15-6 overall and 11-2 in the AAC.
 
Montreat began the first frame with initial challenges, as the Rams capitalized on early errors to build a significant lead. Scoring the first eight points of the match, CIU was determined to run away with the set. Cizzie Griffin set Genesis Hernandez up for a kill to break the home team's scoring streak. Montreat attempted a comeback with contributions from Josie Leatherman and a service ace from Allie Anderson, narrowing the deficit. However, Columbia International maintained its momentum through effective attacks, ultimately closing the frame with a 25-9 advantage over the Cavs.
 
The start of set two was much closer, with both teams trading points early. Hernandez and Leatherman each contributed key kills to keep the score close. A service ace by Anderson helped Montreat tie the score at 5-5. However, the hosts responded with a 7-2 run to regain control. CIU tightened its grasp with consistent scoring, pushing the margin to 18-13. Montreat called a timeout to regroup, but the Rams' offensive pressure continued. The visitors' attempts to narrow the gap were met with strong defensive blocks from Columbia International, who eventually closed the set with a 9-0 run, winning the frame 25-13.
 
CIU opened the third set with a strong start, quickly establishing a 4-0 lead. The Cavaliers answered with a kill from Leatherman, assisted by Griffin, to get on the board. Later in the frame, three consecutive points for the home side forced a Cavs' timeout, slowing the CIU momentum at 15-8. The Cavaliers rallied back, going blow for blow with the Rams, until the hosts held a 19-13 lead. A Taylor Shaw ace, as well as kills from Leatherman and Maggie Stewart, kept the Cavs in it. Columbia International went on a 6-0 run to close out the match, though, winning 25-13 in the final set.
 
Individually, Leatherman led the attack with seven kills from 25 attempts, good for a hitting percentage of .160. Griffin facilitated the offense efficiently, recording nine assists and adding an ace to her performance. Anderson, playing libero, anchored the defense with six digs, and she also contributed two service aces. Shaw added two aces and collected two digs as well.
 
As a team, Montreat totaled 13 kills from 76 attacks. The Cavs finished with a hitting percentage of -.092. CIU's mark was .403 with 39 kills. The Rams had more aces (14-5), assists (34-13), blocks (6-0) and digs (37-27) than the visitors in the contest.

"We had good moments, but consistency and aggressiveness remain areas we need to keep building on," said head coach Cristina Viera. "The progress is there, even if it's not always visible to the eye. We will continue to focus on our side of the court and work to uphold our standard."
 
The next matchup for the Cavaliers will be at home on Friday, Oct. 24. Montreat will host the Bluefield University Rams at Asheville Christian Academy in Swannanoa, N.C. at 6:30 p.m.