Volleyball Returns Home to Host Bethel in Mid-South Matchup

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland women's volleyball returns home Thursday night to host Bethel in Mid-South Conference action, looking to complete the regular-season sweep of the Wildcats and strengthen its position in the conference standings.

The Phoenix enter the match at 15-14 overall and 5-2 in MSC play, tied with Campbellsville for second place behind league-leading Cumberlands. Cumberland has won three of its last four conference matches and owns a 5-2 record at home. Thursday's contest marks CU's first home appearance since sweeping Lindsey Wilson on September 29.

Cumberland looks to bounce back from a four-set loss at Fisk on Tuesday in its final nonconference match of the regular season. The Phoenix average 11.63 kills and 10.85 assists per set while hitting .178. Serving and blocking have been strengths for CU, which has totaled 254 service aces and 220 blocks, ranking sixth nationally in both categories. Cumberland averages 2.35 aces per set, 18th in the NAIA, and 2.04 blocks per set.

Carola Schnidrig leads the Phoenix attack with 265 kills, averaging 2.85 per set, and has added a team-high 50 service aces and 244 digs. Bianca Guceanu contributes 2.01 kills per set, while Carlee Rogers provides production as both a setter and attacker with 705 assists, 199 kills and 238 digs. Rogers averages 6.71 assists and 1.90 kills per set.

Jacey Hubbell adds 1.80 kills per set, while Liberty Shadix leads Cumberland's primary attackers with a .322 hitting percentage. Shadix has recorded 151 kills and 84 blocks, averaging 0.93 blocks per set. Hailey Jones leads the team with 94 blocks to go with 167 kills, and Kaleigh Glass anchors the back row with 399 digs, averaging 3.69 per set, along with 45 service aces.

Bethel comes to Lebanon at 4-16 overall and 1-7 in conference play. The Wildcats earned a three-set victory at Georgetown last Friday before falling to LeMoyne-Owen in four sets Tuesday. Bethel averages 9.75 kills, 9.24 assists and 13.01 digs per set while hitting .093.

Kennedi Morrison and Emma Fistarol lead the Wildcats offensively with 2.44 and 2.41 kills per set, respectively. Morrison has totaled 156 kills, while Fistarol has collected 154 kills and 145 digs. Clara Sestini leads the back row with 179 digs and 2.98 digs per set. Sara Ulrich adds 2.30 digs per set and a team-high 20 service aces, while Somaia Jones and Sania Reaves pace Bethel at the net with 40 and 36 blocks, respectively.

Cumberland swept the first meeting September 15 in McKenzie, taking the sets 25-23, 25-18 and 25-23. Hubbell led the Phoenix with eight kills on a .429 hitting percentage, while Jones finished with seven kills and hit .400. Emma Chavers recorded a double-double with 18 assists and 10 digs, and Schnidrig and AJ Bryant served four aces apiece. CU finished with 10 aces and held Bethel to a .071 hitting percentage.

The Phoenix hold a 24-18 advantage in the all-time series, including a 14-5 record at home. Cumberland has won nine of the last 10 meetings and two straight against the Wildcats.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Emma Chavers: S; 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior

#20 Kaleigh Glass: DS/L; 5' 5"; Senior

#31 Jacey Hubbell: RS; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#15 Hailey Jones: MH/RS; 6' 1"; Junior

#3 Carlee Rogers: S/RS; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#30 AJ Bryant: DS/Libero; 5' 6"; Freshman

#9 Bianca Guceanu: OH; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#14 Carola Schnidrig: OH; 6' 0"; Junior

#10 Liberty Shadix: MH; 6' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#2 Emma Chavers
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior
: S

#20 Kaleigh Glass
: 5' 5"; Senior
: DS/L

#31 Jacey Hubbell
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: RS

#15 Hailey Jones
: 6' 1"; Junior
: MH/RS

#3 Carlee Rogers
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: S/RS

#30 AJ Bryant
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: DS/Libero

#9 Bianca Guceanu
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: OH

#14 Carola Schnidrig
: 6' 0"; Junior
: OH

#10 Liberty Shadix
: 6' 3"; Junior
: MH