Phoenix Face Freed-Hardeman in Mid-South Rematch

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland women's volleyball continues Mid-South Conference play tonight with a rematch against Freed-Hardeman at the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. as the Phoenix look to bounce back and build on their home-court success this season.

Cumberland (21-10, 4-3 MSC) enters the matchup after a tough road loss at Bethel on Tuesday but has been strong overall, sitting near the top of the league in nearly every major statistical category. The Phoenix lead the Mid-South in kills (1,352), assists (1,290), service aces (259), and total blocks (236) while ranking second in digs (1,854) and hitting .194 as a team.

Sophomore outside hitter Lila Cade continues to pace the attack with 348 kills (3.03 per set), adding 334 digs and 40 aces on the season. Senior middle hitter Hazel Konkel remains one of the most efficient hitters in the league, swinging at a .356 clip with 222 kills and 112 blocks, while freshman setter Carlee Rogers has totaled 661 assists (5.75 per set) and ranks among the MSC's leaders in total points contributed.

Defensively, senior libero Morgan Snead anchors the back line with 374 digs, averaging 3.34 per set, while junior defensive specialist Kaleigh Glass adds 282 digs and 31 aces. Cumberland continues to rank among the nation's most aggressive serving teams, averaging 2.23 aces per set, 27th in the NAIA.

Freed-Hardeman (13-11, 1-5 MSC) travels to Lebanon looking to snap a one-match skid after falling at Cumberlands on Saturday. Freed-Hardeman is 2-3 in their last five matches defeating Georgetown and Williams Baptist and losing to the Cumberlands, Lindsey Wilson in four, and Campbellsville in five.

The Lions rank fifth nationally in service aces per set (2.71) and have been one of the top serving teams in the country all season. Senior outside hitter Avery Young leads the team with 196 kills and 233 digs, while freshman Hope Breen has added 184 kills and 18 total blocks. Senior middle blocker Iza Wos has been efficient at the net, hitting .335 with 140 kills, and setters Alyssa Austin and Becca Heineman have split duties evenly, combining for 806 assists on the year.

Defensively, senior defensive specialist Autumn Howard leads the back row with 254 digs (2.89 per set), followed closely by Young with 233. Freshman Marija Milic adds a spark at the net with 45 total blocks and an impressive 50 service aces on the season.

The Phoenix won the first meeting between the two programs earlier this year in Henderson, Tenn., on September 23, taking a five-set thriller (18-25, 25-22, 19-25, 25-18, 23-21). Lila Cade led the way with 20 kills and 15 digs, while Hazel Konkel added nine kills and six blocks. Cumberland hit .168 in the match and outlasted a hard-charging Lions squad that tallied 62 kills and 91 digs.

Cumberland holds a 16-21 all-time record against Freed-Hardeman but has controlled the recent series, winning nine of the last 10 matchups dating back to 2020.

Coverage will begin on the Cumberland Sports Network roughly 10 minutes before first serve.

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Players Mentioned

#32 Lila Cade: OH; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#20 Kaleigh Glass: DS/L; 5' 5"; Junior

#9 Hazel Konkel: MH; 6' 1"; Senior

#22 Morgan Snead: DS/L; 5' 6"; Senior

#1 Carlee Rogers: S/RS; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#32 Lila Cade
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: OH

#20 Kaleigh Glass
: 5' 5"; Junior
: DS/L

#9 Hazel Konkel
: 6' 1"; Senior
: MH

#22 Morgan Snead
: 5' 6"; Senior
: DS/L

#1 Carlee Rogers
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: S/RS