KINGSPORT, Tenn. (SESN) β It wasn’t easy, but top-seeded Columbia International got the job done as it defeated No. 2 Reinhardt 3-1 to win the 2024 WinWon Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday.
The tournament was held at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn.
This is the third year in a row that Columbia International has won the AAC Tournament.
Columbia International advanced to the title game with a 3-0 win over No. 4 Johnson earlier in the day, while Reinhardt outlasted No. 3 Milligan in a 3-2 thriller.
In the championship match, Reinhardt took the opening frame 27-25. However, Columbia International took the next two frames 25-20 and 25-23. Reinhardt fought hard in the fourth set to try to extend the match. Yet, Columbia International pulled out a 28-26 set win to claim the match and the championship.
Kelcey Mangum earned Tournament MVP honors after collecting 40 digs for Columbia International.
Joining her on the All-Tournament Team are Hanah Weiss and Lydia Gustafson of Columbia International, Silvia Aguado and Ashlynn Barnes of Reinhardt, Ella Maiden of Milligan, and Abigail Brown of Johnson.
Columbia International already received an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament as the regular-season champion, so Reinhardt will receive the conference’s second automatic berth as the tournament runner-up.
The NAIA Tournament Selection Show is set for Monday at 1 p.m. ET.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, Nov. 14
Game 1 – No. 7 Pikeville (18-12) def. No. 10 Tennessee Wesleyan (10-22), 3-0 (box)
Game 2 – No. 8 Truett McConnell (14-17) def. No. 9 Montreat (9-12), 3-0 (box)
Friday, Nov. 15
Game 3 – No. 1 Columbia International (30-2) def. No. 8 Truett McConnell (14-18), 3-0 (box)
Game 4 – No. 2 Reinhardt (24-6) def. No. 7 Pikeville (18-13), 3-0 (box)
Game 5 – No. 4 Johnson (28-6) def. No. 5 Bluefield (19-13), 3-1 (box)
Game 6 – No. 3 Milligan (24-7) def. No. 6 Union Commonwealth (14-18), 3-0 (box)
Saturday, Nov. 16
Game 7 – No. 1 Columbia International (31-2) def. No. 4 Johnson (28-7), 3-0 (box)
Game 8 – No. 2 Reinhardt (25-6) def. No. 3 Milligan (24-8), 3-2 (box)
Game 9 – Championship Game – No. 1 Columbia International (32-2) def. No. 2 Reinhardt (25-7), 3-1 (box) – CIU wins the AAC Tournament Championship
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