LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland men's volleyball secured a four-set victory over Life University to kick off the third day of the Phoenix Classic at Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. 

After dropping the first set 25-22, the Phoenix rebounded with three straight set wins, 25-18, 25-23, 25-15, to improve to 12-6 on the season.

Joao Infante led the Phoenix attack with 12 kills, while Jacob Whyte added 11. Infante also recorded three aces, tying for the match-high, while Francesco Corradini led the defensive front with five blocks. Setter Sam Mannebach orchestrated the offense with 40 assists, and Alexander Heuer and Mannebach each tallied five digs to anchor the back row.

The Phoenix got off to a slow start as Life took the first set. Life and Cumberland were even in attacking on the set as both teams recorded 14 kills and three errors. Tied at 11-11, the Running Eagles went on a 3-0 spurt on two attack errors by CU and an ace to create some separation. Cumberland closed the gap to a one point set at 22-21, but Life got back-to-back points and then ended the set on a service error by CU. 

Cumberland dominated the second with a .429 hitting percentage while holding Life to just .033. The Phoenix got up early in the set at 5-2. Later up 7-5, Cumberland rattled off a huge 9-1 run to get up by double-figures to get the second set win 25-18. In the middle of this set the power went off in the gym causing a brief delay, but everything got going again quickly. 

The third set remained tight, but the Phoenix found key points late to edge out the Running Eagles.  Life started the set by going up 3-0. Cumberland rallied to tie it at 5-5 where it went back and forth all the way to 23-23. Cumberland finished off the set with back-to-back points to go up 2-1 in the match.  

In the fourth, Cumberland took full control, limiting Life to a negative hitting percentage (-.217) while closing out the match in dominant fashion. Cumberland quickly got up 11-2 and never looked back taking the fourth 25-15. 

The Phoenix will return to action later today in the final match of the Phoenix Classic against Judson.