Lebanon, Tenn.-- Cumberland drops four set battle to Thomas More to kick off their three game stretch at home. The Phoenix move to a 10-9, overall 5-3 conference record.

Libero Caleb Ginnings had an excellent match coming off of his NAIA Defender of the Week recognition. Ginnings recorded a game-high 18 digs, ten more than the next highest count. Luka Ilic led the Phoenix attackers with ten kills, while Codville Rogers followed with nine. Jordan Pierce also had a strong game with 34 assists, seven kills, and seven digs.

Thomas More’s Ben Albers led all attackers with 12 kills. Jonathan Litzler carried the Saints’ defense with eight digs. 

The teams traded points down the stretch of set one with neither side making any large runs to maintain control. Thomas More found the first major opening to break away, as a deep kill from Ben Albers ignited a 4-1 run.

The Saints had all of the energy in the last few points of the set as the Phoenix posted back-to-back errors at the net for a 21-16 disadvantage. 

After recollecting in a timeout, Lester gave CU some hope with a big swing from the right-side, but the next three points would fall to Thomas More for a 25-18 win.

Cumberland cleaned up their plan in the second set, jumping to a 9-3 lead early, sending the Saints into a timeout. Kix Ferrell came out of the break with a fast, sharp swing to keep Lester on the service line.

The Phoenix pushed their lead out to eleven as Ginnings held down things defensively and the frontline kept their errors to a minimum. The Saints struggled to get much of anything to fall through the final stages as their attack percentage dropped from .500 to 0.067.

The Saints collected some late set points with a 3-0 run that brought it within nine, but Kaden Kuehler nailed the final CU kill from a 25-15 victory. 

Thomas More made the first significant run of set three, going 6-2 for their first lead since set one. The Phoenix struggled offensively throughout the entire set, as Thomas More’s high energy was translated into remarkable defense.

Cumberland was unable to cut their disadvantage by more than six through the final stages as Thomas More committed only two attacking errors to go with their 13 kills. The Saints ended the set with a 25-17 score. 

Set four was a tight battle from start to finish with no clear winner. The teams were evenly matched offensively as they traded points through the middle stages.

Thomas More went on a crucial 4-1 run to put themselves up 21-19. The run would prove to be detrimental to CU as the Saints were able to stay on top and secure the 25-22 win.  

The Phoenix will be back in action at the Dallas Floyd Arena this Friday to face Campbellsville at 5 pm.