St. Louis, Mo.-- Women’s volleyball drops in four set battle against Trinity International University at the Spartan Invite.

Phoenix outside hitters Harlee Kate Reid and Lauren Galvan had strong outings, posting 12 kills each. Nicole Bott recorded a double-double with 18 assists and ten digs. 

The Phoenix were off to a slow start in set one as Trinity International went on a 9-0 run with Lana Vujosevic serving. Harlee Kate Reid put Cumberland on the board with a shot off her blockers to end the run. The Phoenix fought hard to cut their opponent’s lead down to three at the 20-17 scoreboard, but were ultimately unable to overcome that early disadvantage.

Cumberland came into set two with a lot more intensity, earning the first point of the set and keeping a two point lead for large portions of the match. It was a tight race to 25 with a tied score at 19-19 but a kill from Galvan off the hands of her blockers brought the Phoenix to point 20. They were able to hold down the lead from that point on, taking the set with a score of 25-20. Galvan had an impressive six kills in the set.

The Trojans had another early edge on the Phoenix as Brianna Turner went on a three point service run and forced Cumberland into a timeout at the 7-3 score point. The Phoenix trailed behind for the remainder of the set. The Trojans expanded their lead as far as seven points, but back-to-back kills from Izzy Curcio and Luciana Arena helped the Phoenix to cut it down to four points. It was another back-and-forth race towards the end, but the Trojans were able to protect their lead and take the set 25-21.

The Phoenix fell behind the Trojans from early on into the fourth set and fought until the end to recover. The Trojans went on an early three point run that they were able to build of off and protect for the majority of the set. Cumberland closed in on the Trojans towards the end, even tying up the game at 19-19 with a Nicole Bott service ace. The Phoenix took their first lead of the set at 22-21, forcing their opponent into the time out. It was a point for point battle from that moment on, but back-to-back kills from the Trojans ended the match in their favor.

Cumberland will be back on the court tomorrow morning for day two of the Spartan Invite. They will face St. Ambrose University at 9 am and then they will take on No. 4 Missouri Baptist at 1 pm.