Phoenix Open Up Conference at Home Against Bethel Tonight

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland volleyball returns home tonight for its conference opener as the Phoenix (15-6) welcome Bethel University (3-3) to the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena. First serve is set for 7 p.m.

The Phoenix enter the matchup looking to snap a two-match skid after a strong nonconference slate that featured 15 victories and a perfect 2-0 mark at home. Cumberland leads the Mid-South Conference in total kills (962), digs (1,262), assists (914), and blocks (163), showing one of the most balanced attacks in the league.

Sophomore outside hitter Lila Cade has powered the offense with 240 kills (2.96 per set), while senior middle hitter Hazel Konkel ranks among the conference leaders in efficiency with a .393 hitting percentage. Cade and Konkel are No. 1 and No. 2 in the Mid-South Conference in kills with Cade right now third in the NAIA in the category. Freshman setter Carlee Rogers has dished out 488 assists while adding 195 digs and 32 blocks defensively. Senior libero Morgan Snead anchors the back row with 252 digs on the year, the most in the MSC.

Bethel comes in with momentum of its own, riding a two-match win streak after victories over Rust and Brescia. Freshman Katie Pennington leads the Wildcats with 81 kills (3.38 per set) and also contributes defensively with 57 digs and six blocks. Freshman defensive specialist Clara Sestini has been strong in the back row, averaging 5.0 digs per set, while junior setter Mackenzie McCammon guides the offense with nearly five assists per set.

Cumberland holds the edge in the all-time series, 21-17, and has won the last six meetings. The Phoenix defeated the Wildcats twice in 2024, including a 3-1 win in Lebanon last October. The series has historically been competitive, with Cumberland winning eight of the last 10 matchups dating back to 2021.

Cumberland has been on the road for their last 13 matches and will look to get the conference started off with a big win. The University of the Cumberlands and Campbellsville played earlier this week with the Patriots earning a sweep on the road. At this point, that has been the only conference match played so far. Lindsey Wilson hosts Georgetown tonight in the only other conference match this week.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#9 Hazel Konkel: MH; 6' 2"; Junior

#22 Morgan Snead: DS; 5' 6"; Junior

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

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

Players Mentioned

#9 Hazel Konkel
: 6' 2"; Junior
: MH

#22 Morgan Snead
: 5' 6"; Junior
: DS

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

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