Phoenix Advance to RSC Semi-Final After Defeating Saint Mary of the Woods

Box Score SAINT MARY OF THE WOODS, Ind. - - The Phoenix come from behind and defeat the Pomeroys in five sets to advance to the River States Conference Tournament semi-final.

Joao Infante had a successful night for the Phoenix with 24 kills and a .409 hitting percentage, while Zendai Richards and Frederick Amegbletor chipped in with 12 and 13 respectively. Francesco Corradini was impressive for Cumberland with six blocks as well as seven kills on the night. Austin Kuehler had a double double of 50 assists and ten kills. Alexander Heuer had 15 digs on the night. Mason Bryan had an impressive .500 hitting percentage. The Phoenix finished with a .356 hitting percentage and held their opponents to a .276.

The Pomeroys got out the gates early in the first set, going on a five point run early to take the 3-7 lead. Although Cumberland pulled back three points, the home side answered instantly with three of their own and forced a Phoenix timeout. Saint Mary of the Woods went on another 1-6 run to really put some breathing space between themselves and the Phoenix. Cumberland picked up a few points with some kills from Infante and Amegbletor however, it wasn't enough as the Pomeroys took the set comfortably.

The Phoenix battled back in the second set going on a 5-1 run including back to back from Infante and Richards to give themselves a small 9-6 lead. The Pomeroy's answered back with a run of their own to take the lead back. During the middle of the set Cumberland had an impressive run with kills from Corradini and Amegbletor and a huge block from Francesco which gave them the 18-14 lead. Cumberland had found their rhythm by this point and remained in the lead for the rest of the set as they tied the game.

By the third set both teams had found their rhythm and were playing some good volleyball. The Pomeroy's picked up a small lead and hung onto it for a large chunk of the set until the Phoenix managed to level it at 19-19 through an Infante kill. Both teams battled in the later stages however, it was Saint Mary of the Woods who edged it and took the set 23-25.

The Phoenix picked up a narrow 10-7 lead in the fourth set through a number of Infante kills. Mason Bryan extended the lead to 11-8 with an impressive kill. The Phoenix edged ahead to 15-10 as Bryan had found his form and was chipping in with some big kills. Cumberland went on another 4-1 run to make it 22-16 and put some real pressure on the Pomeroys. An Amegbletor kill took the final point as the Phoenix took the set 25-20.

Saint Mary of the Woods took the early lead with some big kills and blocks as the Phoenix took a timeout to take the sting out the Pomeroy attack. The Phoenix pulled back a couple of points to make it a two point game 6-8. The Pomeroys held onto their two point lead until the Phoenix clawed it back to 9-10. Cumberland managed to bring the set level at 11-11 through an Infante kill. Joao Infante secured the set and the win for Cumberland with a service ace as they defeated the Pomeroys for the first time this season to advance to the RSC tournament semi final.

The Phoenix will now face Campbellsville University in the semi final on Friday 17 at Campbellsville, Ky.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

#13 Mason Bryan: MB; 6' 3"; Freshman

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

#13 Mason Bryan
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: MB

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