Cumberland Hosts Lindsey Wilson in Mid-South Showdown Tonight

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland volleyball returns home to the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena tonight for a pivotal Mid-South Conference matchup against Lindsey Wilson. The Phoenix (23-10, 5-3 MSC) come in riding a two-match win streak and look to avenge their 3-1 loss to the Blue Raiders earlier this season in Columbia, Kentucky.

Lindsey Wilson (23-8, 5-2 MSC) sits just above the Phoenix in the conference standings, and tonight's contest could play a major role in postseason seeding. Cumberland is 5-1 at home this season and will look to continue that dominance behind a balanced attack that ranks among the best in the league.

Sophomore Lila Cade leads the Phoenix offense with 374 kills on the season, averaging 3.07 per set and hitting an impressive .272 clip. Senior Hazel Konkel, who recently recorded her 500th career block, remains a force in the middle with 230 kills and a team-best .346 hitting percentage. Freshman setter Carlee Rogers continues to impress, dishing out 703 assists while also contributing 311 digs and 38 service aces.

As a team, Cumberland averages 11.68 kills and 2.25 aces per set, while also ranking near the top of the league defensively with 2.03 blocks per set. Senior libero Morgan Snead anchors the back row with 392 digs on the season.

For Lindsey Wilson, senior outside hitter Ola Wyrzykowska powers the Blue Raider attack with 382 kills. Wyrzkowska ranks fifth nationally in kills, has been named the Mid-South Conference Attacker of the Week three times this season and was named a First Team All-Conference honoree. Setter Luiza Goncalves runs the offense efficiently, tallying 875 assists (8.93 per set), while libero Momo Hampton leads the defensive effort with 428 digs (3.93 per set).

When the two teams met on October 8, Lindsey Wilson edged Cumberland 3-1 despite a strong defensive effort from the Phoenix. Rogers tallied 13 kills and 17 digs, Cade added 12 kills and 26 digs, and Konkel led the blocking effort with four. The Blue Raiders' Wyrzykowska was the difference-maker that night with 22 kills, 17 digs, and four aces.

The Blue Raiders hold a 40-9 record all-time against Cumberland. The Phoenix are 2-8 in their last 10 meetings winning twice in 2022. Both teams are receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll.

As postseason looms, Cumberland sits in third place right now in the conference standings. The Blue Raiders are in second with four matches for both teams left ahead of the conference tournament.

First serve is set for 7 p.m. CT inside the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena, with live coverage on the Cumberland Sports Network.

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Players Mentioned

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

#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

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

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

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