WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - - Phoenix volleyball battled through a dramatic second-set comeback Wednesday night, but the ultimately fell to the University of the Cumberlands 3-0.
Cumberlands controlled the opening set, taking a 25-13 victory to grab an early 1-0 advantage.
The second set, however, saw the Phoenix nearly turn the match on its head.
Cumberland found itself trailing 9-1 early in the set before a challenge and replay review overturned a point, giving the Phoenix an opportunity to regain momentum. Cumberland took advantage, mounting a furious comeback that brought the Phoenix all the way back into contention.
The Phoenix continued to battle point-for-point down the stretch, eventually forcing the set beyond 25 points. Cumberland recorded 13 kills with just four errors in the second set, its best offensive performance of the night, but Cumberlands ultimately held on for a 27-25 victory to take a 2-0 match lead.
Cumberland carried that fight into the third set, but the Patriots were able to create enough separation late to close out the match with a 25-20 win.
Bianca Guceanu paced the Phoenix with nine kills, while
Liberty Shadix added seven kills while hitting .333.
Hailey Jones finished with six kills and three block assists, and
Carlee Rogers contributed five kills and a team-high 26 assists.
Defensively,
Kaleigh Glass led all Phoenix players with 16 digs. Rogers and Guceanu each added seven, while
Carola Schnidrig recorded eight. Cumberland finished with 52 digs as a team.
Cumberlands was led by Sara Zampedri, who recorded 14 kills while hitting .467, and Alana Shiery, who added 10 kills while hitting .556. The Patriots finished the night hitting .232 as a team, compared to Cumberland's .140.
The Phoenix fall to 9-11 overall and 1-1 in Mid-South Conference play, while Cumberlands improves to 15-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Cumberland will be back at home on Friday for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night against Georgetown.
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