Bowling Green, Ky.-- The Phoenix gave it their all but ultimately fell short of the Mid-South Conference championship title with a 0-3 loss to Georgetown. 

Cumberland did not make it easy for the Tigers as they put up a solid fight through all three sets. Luka Ilic led the Phoenix attackers with 10 kills, while Kaden Kuehler added seven on an impressive .600 attack percentage.

Caleb Ginnings had a fantastic night as he kept the Phoenix alive through some crucial moments. He posted a game-high 13 digs. 

Ryan Gunn led Georgetown’s campaign with 14 kills followed by Krzysztof Kowalski with 11. Setter Kacper Dobrowolski finished with a double-double of 34 assists and 10 digs.

Despite opening the set with a 4-0 lead the Tigers were plagued by ten total service errors, allowing the Phoenix to stay in it. As the set progressed, Cumberland found their defensive groove with Ginnings going all-out for every ball to keep the score tight. 

The teams went point-for-point down the stretch as neither side could close it out, forcing the set into extra digits. A kill from Gunn brought the Tigers to point 31 and a defensive miscommunication by the Phoenix closed it out at 32-30. 

The Phoenix had a slow offensive start to the second but remained on the heels of Georgetown through the middle stages with their tight defense. Ilic came alive from the outside late in the set in an attempt to pull CU ahead, but the Tigers were quick to bounce back for a 25-21 win.

The teams went back and forth to start the important third set with neither side making more than a two point run until Ilic took the service line at 10-9. The Phoenix rattled off five straight points- two of which were Ilic’s aces- to take their first significant lead of the game at 14-9. 

The Tigers rallied back in time to stop the bleeding with an 8-1 run, recovering the lead and forcing the Phoenix into a timeout.

Georgetown followed that momentum spark all the way through the end as Cumberland’s connection began to crumble. Kowalski administered the final blow for Georgetown for a 25-20 victory. 

The win gives Georgetown an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament, however the Phoenix will have to wait for the selection show on Monday at 4:00 PM to see if they get an at-large bid.