Lebanon, Tenn.-- The Phoenix (12-5, 5-3) drop a tough five set road battle to the University of the Cumberlands.

Three Phoenix attackers posted double-digit kills, led by Hazel Konkel with 14. Libero Shea Moore played an outstanding match, recording a season-high 34 digs in the effort. Nicole Bott had a double-double with 34 assists and 10 digs. 

The Phoenix were neck-and-neck with the Patriots for the first few points of set one, but back-to-back kills from Allyson Grava at 4-4 gave the Patriots a lead that they held onto for the remainder of the set. The Patriots expanded their lead as far as nine points, averaging three point service runs to maintain their advantage. Two late-set mini runs for the Phoenix forced their opponent into a timeout as they cut their lead down to only three points. The Patriots were able to hold on to win the set with a 24-20 score, swinging for an impressive .333 hitting percentage in the set.

Cumberland trailed behind the Patriots for the majority of set two by as many as seven points at the 17-10 scoreboard. The Phoenix failed to string together enough points to go on a significant run and break into the lead. Cumberland once again found some energy late into the set, posting back-to-back kills from Hazel Konkel and Layla Wandel, followed by a combined block from the two. Arena cut the score down to two points at 24-22 with a kill and a block of her own, forcing the Patriots into a timeout. A two point run from Cumberland put the set into a win-by-two situation. A service and attack error from Cumberland ended the set in the Patriot’s favor, going into extra points at 26-24.

Cumberland cleaned up their play and dominated set three to stay in the game. The Patriots went on an early three point run, but Arena interrupted the momentum with a huge cross-court swing. Cumberland took their most significant lead of the match thus far at six points, fueled by an ace from Shea Moore and three back-to-back kills from Lauren Galvan. A five point run followed by another four point run set the Phoenix up to take the set, leading their opponent by ten points. The Patriots were unable to recover the deficit and the Phoenix came out on top with a 25-16 score. Galvan posted six kills in the set. 

Cumberland carried their momentum into set four, starting off with a three point run which included a kill from Arena and an ace from Nicole Bott. The Phoenix preserved a three or more point lead over the Patriots throughout the entire set. Cumberland’s offense outplayed their opponent’s, with 19 kills in the set. The Phoenix forced a fifth set with a 25-18 score, after an Izzy Curcio swing put an end to a long rally.

The Patriots took the first two points of set five, with a kill from Emily Prewitt and a service ace from Lexi Lester. The Phoenix were quick to collect themselves and even the score when Galvan and Konkel combined for a block. Three back-to-back Phoenix attacking errors followed by a huge kill from Anna Blumeier gave the Patriots a four point edge at 8-4. Hazel Konkel ended the Patriot’s six point streak with a sharp swing from the outside. Blumeier was quick to recover the Patriot’s ball with another deep swing and protected it with her fourth kill of the set. Cumberland fought hard to stay in the set with a three point run, during which Reid and Arena contributed kills, cutting the lead down to 3 at 13-10. At Patriot game point, Blumeier ended the game with a sharp cross court swing. 

The Phoenix move to a 5-3 conference record. They will stay on the road and be back in action tomorrow in Pikeville, Ky. to take on the Pikeville Bears at noon.