LEBANON, Tenn. - - Cumberland University volleyball battled back from a two-set deficit to force a fifth set but ultimately fell 3-2 to Columbia College on Saturday morning at Gosser Gymnasium.
The Phoenix showed resilience after dropping the first two sets, winning the third and fourth sets to even the match. Cumberland finished with 16 total team blocks compared to 13 for Columbia, while the two teams combined for 109 kills in the five-set contest.
Carola Schnidrig led the Cumberland offense with 15 kills and 18.5 points, adding two service aces and 11 digs. Carlee Rogers recorded 11 kills, 26 assists and 11 digs, while Liberty Shadix added seven kills and four block assists. Hailey Jones contributed six kills, four service aces and five total blocks, including one solo block and four block assists.
Columbia took control early, winning the opening set 25-16 before claiming the second set 25-17 to build a 2-0 advantage. The Phoenix struggled to find consistency offensively in the first two frames as the visitors built their lead.
Cumberland responded in the third set, holding off Columbia to earn a 25-22 victory and extend the match. The Phoenix continued to build momentum in the fourth, recording 18 kills while hitting .289 as they edged the visitors 25-23 to even the match at two sets apiece.
The Phoenix looked to complete the comeback in the deciding fifth set, but Columbia pulled away late to secure a 15-11 victory and take the match 3-2.
Schnidrig paced the Phoenix offensively with 15 kills on 39 attempts, finishing with a .256 hitting percentage. Rogers added 11 kills while hitting .258, and Jacey Hubbell contributed 10 kills. Shadix was efficient in the attack, recording seven kills on 15 attempts for a .400 hitting percentage.
Rogers directed the Cumberland offense with 26 assists, while Emma Chavers added 18 assists. Defensively, Rogers and Schnidrig each recorded 11 digs, while Kaleigh Glass finished with 12 digs and helped lead the Phoenix in the back row.
Cumberland recorded nine service aces, led by Jones with four and Schnidrig with two. At the net, Shadix and Jones each contributed four block assists, while Schnidrig added three and Rogers finished with two.
The Phoenix fall to 14-13 overall and 4-2 in conference play, while Columbia improves to 21-6 overall and 9-0 in conference action.
Cumberland will be back in action Friday evening on the road against Lindsey Wilson in conference play.
