Men's Volleyball Returns to Receiving Votes in Top 15

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland men's volleyball makes a move into the receiving votes category, earning votes in the latest NAIA Men's Volleyball Coaches' Top 15 Poll for the first time since the preseason rankings, the national office announced Wednesday.

The Phoenix received two points in the poll, returning to the receiving votes category as the regular season nears its conclusion. Cumberland is one of seven teams just outside the Top 15.

Cumberland enters the final week of the regular season with a 14-11 overall record and a 9-6 mark in River States Conference play. The Phoenix have been one of the most balanced teams in the conference, ranking among the NAIA leaders with 2.50 blocks per set (8th nationally) while also sitting inside the top 20 in both kills (1,150) and assists (1,084).

Offensively, Cumberland is led by senior outside hitter Joao Infante, who ranks among the top attackers in the nation with 414 kills and 4.40 kills per set while hitting .316 on the year. Zendai Richards has added 229 kills, while Frederick Amegbletor and Francesco Corradini have anchored the middle with efficient hitting percentages of .294 and .440, respectively.

At setter, freshman Austin Kuehler has directed the Phoenix offense with 704 assists (8.80 assists per set), helping Cumberland hit .252 as a team. Defensively, Alexander Heuer leads the back line with 287 digs (3.05 per set), while Corradini has been a force at the net with a team-best 122 total blocks (1.30 per set).

Cumberland's recent stretch included wins in five of six matches prior to a narrow five-set loss to No. 5 Campbellsville.

The Top 3 remain unchanged as The Master's (Calif.) is the No. 1 team in the NAIA at 18-0. Park (Mo.) stands at No. 2 at 27-0 and Saint Xavier (Ill.) is No. 3 at 25-3. Missouri Valley and Mount Mercy round out the Top 5 at No. 4 and No. 5.

Campbellsville is the highest ranked River States Conference team at No. 6. Georgetown moved up one spot to No. 13. Oakland City and the Phoenix are both receiving votes in the Top 15.

The Phoenix will close out the regular season on Friday with a road match at Georgetown before turning their attention to the River States Conference Tournament, which begins Tuesday.

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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

#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

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