MARIETTA, Ga.--The Cumberland men's volleyball team dropped a straight-set decision at Life on Saturday afternoon, falling 25-15, 25-21, 25-21 at the Upper Gym.

Life set the tone early behind an efficient opening frame, hitting .607 in the first set while building separation midway through to take a 1-0 lead. Cumberland stayed within striking distance for stretches, getting early kills from Francesco Corradini and Joao Infante, but Life closed the set on a late push to pull away.

The Phoenix responded with their most competitive stretch in the second set, trading points throughout and matching Life nearly point for point. Cumberland tied the set multiple times and used timely blocks from Frederick Amegbletor and Nage Hendrickson to keep pressure on the hosts, but Life answered late with key sideouts to edge out the 25-21 win.

Cumberland carried momentum into the third, opening on a brief run and forcing Life into a timeout as the Phoenix generated points at the net with three straight blocks. The set featured 13 ties and six lead changes, with Zendai Richards and Infante providing consistent offense, but Life steadied down the stretch and closed out the match behind a balanced attack.

Richards paced Cumberland with 12 kills, while Infante added seven kills and four digs. Austin Kuehler directed the offense with 24 assists and contributed five block assists at the net. Corradini added four kills and four total blocks, and Hendrickson chipped in five kills. As a team, Cumberland finished with 32 kills, 11 total blocks, and hit .200 in the afternoon.

Life was led by Serano Keijl's 15 kills, with Charles Ewer adding nine kills on a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage. The hosts hit .379 as a team and totaled 45 kills in the three-set victory.

Cumberland returns to action on Thursday as the Phoenix travel to Olivet Nazarene.