CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.--Cumberland women's volleyball picked up a crucial win over Campbellsville in Mid-South Conference play defeating Campbellsville before sweeping Talladega on Friday afternoon.
The Phoenix (20-9, 4-2 MSC) secured their 20th win of the season behind a balanced offensive effort led by Lila Cade, who tallied 16 kills and eight digs while hitting .310. Carlee Rogers posted another outstanding all-around performance with 11 kills, 15 assists, and 12 digs, recording a double-double for the Phoenix. Hazel Konkel dominated at the net with eight kills and eight total blocks, including two solos.
Setter Emma Carter directed the offense with 25 assists, adding four service aces and four digs, while Morgan Snead sparked the back row with 13 digs and six service aces. Paulina Dziedzic contributed five kills and three block assists, and Jacey Hubbell added four block assists of her own.
Cumberland's defense once again proved to be the difference, totaling 11 team blocks and holding Campbellsville (14-11, 2-2 MSC) to a .196 hitting percentage. The Phoenix also recorded 15 service aces to help control momentum throughout the match.
For Campbellsville, Emily Aabye led with 15 kills, while Elif Akcivi added 12 kills and 12 digs. Kati Vest dished out 46 assists in the loss.
Cumberland opened the match strong, building early momentum with kills from Hazel Konkel and Lila Cade. Down 20-16 late, Emma Carter fueled the late surge with back-to-back aces, and Cade sealed the set with a kill to put Cumberland ahead 1-0.
The second set saw Campbellsville respond, jumping out to an early advantage behind consistent play from Elif Akcivi and Emily Aabye. Cumberland rallied midway through, pulling within one after kills from Cade and Paulina Dziedzic, but the Tigers closed the frame with back-to-back points to even the match.
In a tightly contested third set, both teams traded points throughout with neither side leading by more than three. The Phoenix found their rhythm late as Cade, Konkel, and Rogers powered the offense. Tied at 24, Jacey Hubbell and Rogers came through with back-to-back kills to clinch the 26-24 win and a 2-1 match lead.
The final set was a grind from start to finish, featuring long rallies and clutch plays on both sides. Campbellsville held a slim lead for much of the set, but Cumberland's defense tightened late behind Konkel's blocking at the net. The Phoenix rattled off five straight to tie the match at 23-23 where Snead delivered a key service ace. Facing set point twice, Cumberland fought it off and sent it to extra points before kills from Hubbell and Rogers sealed the win.
Cumberland continued its winning ways on Friday afternoon, rolling past Talladega in straight sets (25-13, 25-21, 25-18) in non-conference action inside Gosser Gym.
The Phoenix (21-9) controlled the match from start to finish, using an efficient offense and dominant serving performance to secure their fifth straight victory. Carlee Rogers led the way with seven kills, eight assists, five service aces, and three digs, while Emma Carter added 16 assists, three service aces, and three total points.
Jacey Hubbell posted six kills with one block assist, and Hazel Konkel contributed two kills and three block assists at the net. Paulina Dziedzic tallied three kills and two block assists, while Kaleigh Glass served three aces and recorded seven digs. Sydnee Tidwell anchored the back row with eight digs and added a service ace of her own.
Cumberland's serving was the difference throughout, finishing with 15 aces to just nine errors while holding the Tornadoes (3-9) to a .026 hitting percentage. The Phoenix also out-dug Talladega 28–32 and controlled the net with five team blocks.
Cumberland opened the match strong, jumping out to an early lead behind kills from Rogers and Hubbell. Emma Carter served back-to-back aces to extend the margin, and the Phoenix pulled away with a 25-13 victory.
Talladega battled back early and traded points through the midpoint of the frame, but Cumberland's balance proved too much. Rogers and Cade sparked the offense late, and a service ace from Tidwell helped close out a 25-21 win.
The Phoenix sealed the sweep with another dominant performance behind a seven-ace outburst, including three from Glass and two from Rogers. Late kills from Sydney Andrews and Abigail Foster capped a 25-18 victory to end the match.
The Phoenix will return to Mid-South Conference play next week as they look to continue their momentum on Tuesday at Bethel before hosting Freed-Hardeman on Thursday.
