Four-Peat: CIU Scores Fourth Consecutive Women's Volleyball Tournament Title

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Columbia International used an impressive net game to win the 2025 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women's Volleyball Tournament championship on Saturday.

The three-day tournament was held at MeadowView Marriott Convention Center & Conference Resort in Kingsport, Tenn.

Top-seeded Columbia International defeated No. 3 seed Reinhardt 3-1 in the title match, earning the Rams their fourth consecutive tournament crown.

Columbia International registered a program record 19 team blocks while hammering home 44 kills and posting a .226 hitting percentage. Tournament MVP Lydia Gustafson matched a career-high with 11 total blocks to go with seven kills. 

After taking the first, Columbia International saw Reinhardt level the match at 1-all. However, the Rams posted a 25-16 set three win for a 2-1 advantage. In the fourth frame, Reinhardt jumped out to a 10-2 lead. Yet, Columbia International regrouped and fought back, eventually tying the set at 15-all. Columbia International was able to take a two-point lead and held off Reinhardt for the 25-23 set win and 3-1 match victory.

Mary Norwood led CIU with 12 kills, and Maria Ferreira logged 24 assists. Kelcey Mangum collected 20 digs.

Juliette Baffico posted 15 kills and 16 digs for Reinhardt, and Jenna Smith added 10. Silvia Aguado helped out with 22 digs.

Columbia International advanced to the title match with a 3-0 win over No. 4 seed Pikeville, while Reinhardt used a reverse sweep to move past No. 2 seed Johnson.

Joining Gustafson on the All-Tournament Team are Macy Brooks, Norwood, and Mangum of CIU; Baffico and Aguado of Reinhardt; Chloie Brinton of Pikeville; and Marissa McMahon of Johnson.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, Nov. 13
Game 1 - No. 7 Union Commonwealth (12-18) def. No. 10 Milligan (8-26) - 3-2 (box)
Game 2 - No. 9 Bluefield (12-13) def. No. 8 Spartanburg Methodist (13-20) - 3-0 (box)

Friday, Nov. 14
Game 3 - No. 1 Columbia International (22-6) def. No. 9 Bluefield (12-14) - 3-0 (box)
Game 4 - No. 2 Johnson (31-6) def. No. 7 Union Commonwealth (12-19) - 3-1 (box)
Game 5 - No. 4 Pikeville (19-12) def. No. 5 Brenau (15-13) - 3-0 (box)
Game 6 - No. 3 Reinhardt (28-6) def. No. 6 Tennessee Wesleyan (20-12) - 3-0 (box)

Saturday, Nov. 15
Game 7 - No. 1 Columbia International (23-6) def. No. 4 Pikeville (19-13) - 3-0 (box)
Game 8 - No. 3 Reinhardt (29-6) def. No. 2 Johnson (31-7) vs. - 3-2 (box)
Game 9 - Championship Game - No. 1 Columbia International (24-6) vs. No. 3 Reinhardt (29-7) - 3-1 (box) - CIU wins the tournament championship