Late Runs Lift Bethel Past Cumberland in Straight Sets

Box Score MCKENZIE, Tenn.--Bethel sweeps the Phoenix on their Senior Day 25-23, 25-21, 25-21 in Crisp Arena Tuesday evening.

Cumberland (21-10, 4-3 MSC) saw early leads disappear as Bethel went on late runs to come away with the sweep. Bethel (8-10, 3-4 MSC) picks up their third conference win of the season.

Cumberland grabbed an early lead in the first set and built it up to as much as five points, leading 15-9 and again at 16-10. However, the Wildcats did not go away and went on a 10-3 run to take the lead at 20-19. Cumberland battled to tie it at 23-23, but Bethel picked up the next two points to take the first set, 25-23.

In set two, Cumberland again built an early lead, forcing Bethel into a quick timeout up 7-3. The Phoenix went up 10-7 before Bethel used a 3-0 spurt to tie the set. Cumberland responded with three straight points to go back up by three, but Bethel went on a five-point run to take the momentum. The Wildcats expanded the lead to as much as six at 22-16 before going on to win the set 25-21.

The third set was back and forth the entire way until the end. Cumberland took a one-point lead late at 20-19 after trading points throughout, but Bethel responded with a 6-1 closing run to seal the set and complete the sweep.

Despite the loss, the Phoenix showed stretches of strong play at the net but struggled to finish off sets down the stretch. Bethel used steady serving and late defensive stops to make the difference on Senior Day.

Full match stats will be available later this evening. Cumberland will look to bounce back at home on Thursday as they host Freed-Hardeman inside the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.

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