LEBANON, Tenn.--Riding a perfect start in Mid-South play and closing in on their third 20-win season in four years, Cumberland women's volleyball faces one of its biggest tests yet with a Top 10 showdown against University of the Cumberlands.

With both teams unbeaten in MSC play and among the nation's statistical leaders, Saturday's clash is shaping up as one of the biggest matches of the season.

The Phoenix (19-7, 3-0 MSC) look to achieve a 20 win season for the third time in four years, as well as maintaining a perfect record in conference play after sweeping Georgetown last week.

Cumberland has stuffed the stat sheet all year, leading the NAIA in kills, attacks, assists, points, and digs, while ranking second in blocks, aces, and receptions. Their offense is led by sophomore outside hitter Lila Cade, where the Cookeville native is leading the Mid-South in kills, total attacks, points, and receptions, while being second in service aces and third in digs. Freshman setter Carlee Rogers has been the perfect support for this offense, sitting third in the conference in assists and fifth in digs. 

Senior middle hitter Hazel Konkel is continuing her illustrious career at Cumberland, where she is leading the conference in blocks and fourth in kills. Konkel only needs nine more blocks to reach 500 blocks in her career. Adding in her 1100 kills, the Dubois, Illinois native is close to reaching a very exclusive group of people in Women's volleyball to reach 1000 kills and 500 blocks.

For the Patriots, they look to continue their perfect season as they have won 17 games in a row to begin their 2025 campaign. The Patriots are tied at the top of the conference standings with Cumberland with a 3-0 record. The Cumberlands swept Campbellsville, a ranked Lindsey Wilson team, and Georgetown earlier this week. 

The Cumberlands have been one of the most efficient teams in the nation. The Patriots are second in the NAIA in points per game, assists per game, attack percentage, fourth in kills per game, and fifth in service aces per game. That level of efficiency has led them to not losing a single set since August 29th and only losing three sets overall. 

Reigning Mid-South Conference Player of the Year Sara Zampedri has been leading the attack for the Patriots. Zampedri is leading the conference in kills per set (3.72) and points per set (4.4). She is set early and often averaging near 10 attacks per set with over 500 swings this season. Sophomore outside hitter Brynnely Bryant trails just Zampedri in kills per set and is tied for fourth with 3.8 points per set. Junior middle Kara Gipson is leading the conference in hitting percentage with a .434.

Savannah Jolly is leading the conference in assists per set, where she is averaging 11.28 assists per set, and that average has propelled her to fourth in total assists.

Defensively, senior libero Davey Slaughter is second in the conference in digs per set at 4.26. Sophomore middle Alana Shiery is third in the conference in solo blocks, 11th in total blocks, seventh in blocks per set. Shiery is also third in the conference in hitting percentage at .398.

In the history of this matchup, the Cumberlands have a slight edge, as the Phoenix are 15-20 against the Pats. The Cumberlands won both matchups last season against the Phoenix winning in five in Lebanon and picking up a sweep in Williamsburg. Over the last 10 matchups, Cumberland and the Cumberlands are an even 5-5. At home, the Phoenix are 8-10 against the Patriots.

First serve is set for 3:30 p.m. central time and coverage will begin 10 minutes before first serve on the Cumberland Sports Network.