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Cumberland University

Zendai Richards
3
Winner Mount Mercy MMU 1-0
0
Cumberland (TN) CU 0-1
Winner
Mount Mercy MMU
1-0
3
Final
0
Cumberland (TN) CU
0-1
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Mount Mercy MMU 25 25 25 (3)
Cumberland (TN) CU 21 16 14 (0)
0
Culver-Stockton (MO) C-SC 0-1
3
Winner Cumberland (TN) CU 1-0
Culver-Stockton (MO) C-SC
0-1
0
Final
3
Cumberland (TN) CU
1-0
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Culver-Stockton (MO) C-SC 18 23 21 (0)
Cumberland (TN) CU 25 25 25 (3)

Next Match:

at Reinhardt University

1/30/2026 | 3:00 PM

Next Match

Full Schedule
Jan. 30 (Fri) / 3:00 PM
at Reinhardt University
History

Game Recap: Men's Volleyball |

Phoenix Finish Fighting Bee Invitational Strong with Straight-Set Victory

MOLINE, Ill.--Cumberland closes the Fighting Bee Invitational with a win over Culver-Stockton after dropping a straight-set match to 12th-ranked Mount Mercy on Saturday. 

No. 12 Mount Mercy controlled the tempo from the opening serve and never relinquished momentum, sweeping Cumberland in straight sets, 25-21, 25-16, 25-14.

Cumberland finished the match with 26 kills on 78 attacks, hitting .103 as a team. The Phoenix totaled 26 assists, 22 digs, six total blocks, and one service ace, but were hindered by 18 attack errors and eight service errors against a steady Mount Mercy defense. Individually, Joao Infante led Cumberland with 13 kills to go along with four digs, while Nage Hendrickson added six kills. Setter Austin Kuehler guided the offense with 20 assists, and Francesco Corradini helped at the net with four block assists.

Mount Mercy posted an efficient offensive performance, recording 38 kills on 74 swings for a .365 hitting percentage. The Mustangs added 37 assists, 28 digs, 10 total blocks, and 11 service aces while committing just 11 attack errors. Guglielmo Illotti led all players with 13 kills on .500 hitting, while Gabor Toth chipped in seven kills. Raphael Massara applied constant pressure from the service line with five aces, and setter Gustavo Kehl Bauer directed the attack with 28 assists.

The opening set featured early back-and-forth play, as Cumberland briefly found momentum behind kills from Infante and Hendrickson to stay within striking distance. Mount Mercy answered with a mid-set run sparked by service pressure and timely blocks, eventually pulling away late to claim the first set, 25-21.

Mount Mercy seized control early in the second set, using a combination of aggressive serving and efficient side-out offense to build a sizeable lead. Cumberland struggled to regain rhythm offensively as the Mustangs extended the margin, closing the frame with a 25-16 win.

The Mustangs carried that momentum into the third set, racing out to an early advantage and continuing to dictate play at the net. Despite several long rallies and continued effort from the Phoenix, Mount Mercy's balanced attack proved decisive, as the set — and the match — concluded with a 25-14 finish.

Cumberland bounced back in a big way Saturday afternoon, delivering a straight-sets victory over Culver-Stockton to close the day with a 25-18, 25-23, 25-21win to finish the invitational. 

The Phoenix put together one of their most efficient offensive performances of the weekend, finishing with 42 kills on 93 attempts while hitting .333 as a team. Cumberland also totaled 40 assists, 29 digs, five total blocks, and three service aces, overcoming 16 service errors with consistent side-out play and strong work at the net. 

Zendai Richards led the attack with 14 kills on .367 hitting, while Joao Infante added 11 kills and six digs. Francesco Corradini was a force in the middle, posting eight kills on .667 hitting to go with five block assists, and setter Austin Kuehler orchestrated the offense with 32 assists and just one error.

Culver-Stockton recorded 29 kills on 80 swings, hitting .150 for the match, while adding 28 assists, 31 digs, eight total blocks, and five service aces. Zach Kowalewicz and Rio Victor paced the Wildcats with eight kills apiece, while setter Kirvan Hughes finished with 23 assists.

Cumberland seized control early in the opening set, using a strong run from the service line and timely blocks by Corradini and Infante to build separation. The Phoenix extended the margin behind efficient side-out play and closed the set on a 7-3 stretch to take a 25-18 advantage.

The second set proved tighter, with multiple ties and lead changes as Culver-Stockton responded with improved offensive rhythm. Cumberland answered every push, leaning on Richards and Infante for key kills down the stretch. Kuehler capped the set with back-to-back assists that led to kills from Corradini and Richards, sealing a 25-23 win.

Cumberland carried that momentum into the third set, jumping out to an early lead and maintaining control. Culver-Stockton trimmed the deficit late, but the Phoenix stayed composed, closing the match behind a balanced attack and strong defensive effort to secure the 25-21 finish

Cumberland will be back in action next weekend as the Phoenix travel to Georgia for the AAC/River States Conference Crossover.
 
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Players Mentioned

Nage Hendrickson

#20 Nage Hendrickson

OH
6' 1"
Junior
Zendai Richards

#4 Zendai Richards

OH
6' 0"
Sophomore
Joao Infante

#11 Joao Infante

OH
6' 5"
Junior
Francesco Corradini

#21 Francesco Corradini

MB
6' 2"
Freshman
Austin Kuehler

#7 Austin Kuehler

S
6' 6"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Nage Hendrickson

#20 Nage Hendrickson

6' 1"
Junior
OH
Zendai Richards

#4 Zendai Richards

6' 0"
Sophomore
OH
Joao Infante

#11 Joao Infante

6' 5"
Junior
OH
Francesco Corradini

#21 Francesco Corradini

6' 2"
Freshman
MB
Austin Kuehler

#7 Austin Kuehler

6' 6"
Freshman
S