Men's Volleyball Upset No.4 Campbellsville on the Road

Box Score CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY. - - Men's volleyball handed No.4 Campbellsville their first loss of the season as the Phoenix defeated the Tigers in four sets on the road.

Joao Infante had an incredible night with 27 kills and a .417 hitting percentage. In the same night the senior surpassed 1000 career kills. Zendai Richards and Frederick Amegbletor chipped in with nine and eight kills respectively. Francesco Corradini helped the Phoenix with seven kills, a .500 hitting percentage and six blocks. Austin Kuehler was finding his teammates well, picking up 50 assists in the game. On the defensive end Alexander Heuer helped out with 19 digs. Cumberland finished with a .344 hitting percentage and held their opponents to a .285.

The opening encounters were very equal with both sides getting points on the board early through a number of kills. Cumberland held a narrow lead at 12-9 with some big kills and efforts on the defensive end including blocks from Austin Kuehler and Francesco Corradini. A three point run gave the Phoenix a little breathing space at 17-13. However, the Tigers went on a 1-7 run to take the lead 19-21. Cumberland fought back and with a four point run of their own including three Joao Infante kills put themselves up 25-24. Infante was firing in a cylinders and with three kills in a row he ensured his team took the first set 26-24.

Early in the second set Infante eclipsed an incredible 1000 career kills as he helped give his team the early 3-1 lead. Campbellsville remained in the set, however, Cumberland held the narrow lead at 10-8. The set was in the balance at 13-13. Kuehler and Frederick Amegbletor continued to work at the net, making a big block to put the Phoenix up 17-14. The Phoenix extended their lead to 20-15. Cumberland kept their composure and with an Amegbletor kill won the set 25-18.

The Tigers responded in the third set taking the early 2-5 lead. Cumberland battled back and with a three point run brought the set back to within one point at 10-11. Both teams were playing some great volleyball and the score reflected that as the third set was evenly matched at 16-16. The Tigers went on a 1-5 point run to put pressure on the Phoenix as they led 17-19. Campbellsville finished with a three point run to ensure a fourth set as they won the set 19-25.

The opening encounters of the fourth set followed the same pattern as the previous three with both teams getting points early on the board through a number of kills. It was Cumberland who with a four point run managed to give themselves the 8-5 lead. Another three point run from the Phoenix widened their lead at 11-6. Kills from Zendai Richards and Nage Hendrickson gave the Phoenix the 14-9 advantage. Cumberland continued to pick up points and with back to back Corradini kills found themselves 19-14 up. Cumberland remained focused in the remainder of the set and ensured they took the 25-18 win over the No.4 ranked Campbellsville.

The Phoenix will be back in action on March 20 as they return to the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena to take on (RV) Georgetown College. The match is set to begin at 6PM CT.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Frederick Amegbletor: MB; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#21 Francesco Corradini: MB; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#20 Nage Hendrickson: OH; 6' 2"; Senior

#3 Alexander Heuer: DS/S/L; 5' 11"; Junior

#11 Joao Infante: OH; 6' 5"; Senior

#4 Zendai Richards: OH; 6' 0"; Junior

#7 Austin Kuehler: S; 6' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 Frederick Amegbletor
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: MB

#21 Francesco Corradini
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: MB

#20 Nage Hendrickson
: 6' 2"; Senior
: OH

#3 Alexander Heuer
: 5' 11"; Junior
: DS/S/L

#11 Joao Infante
: 6' 5"; Senior
: OH

#4 Zendai Richards
: 6' 0"; Junior
: OH

#7 Austin Kuehler
: 6' 6"; Freshman
: S