Campbellsville, Ky.-- Cumberland takes down first place conference holder Campbellsville University in an exciting five set match.

Harlee Kate Reid had another great outing for the Phoenix, leading her attackers with 18 kills. Three other Cumberland attackers posted double-digit kills including Izzy Curcio with 14, Lauren Galvan with 11, and Hazel Konkel with 10. 

The Phoenix struggled to connect on defense in set one and allowed Paige Merrick to get an early three point service run for Campbellsville. The Tigers quickly expanded that lead by five points and would stay ahead of the Phoenix for the entire set. Cumberland clawed their way back to minimize the score by one with a crucial serving run, during which Galvan picked up two aces. The Tigers were ultimately able to maintain their lead through the end and took the set with a score of 25-19.

Cumberland cleaned up their play for set two and found an early opportunity to take a three point lead, their first of the match. Bianca Rodriquez picked up two aces on a 5-0 service run to take Cumberland’s advantage to seven points at 10-3 and force the Tigers to recollect in a timeout. The Phoenix dominated the rest of the set, picking up three blocks and handling the Tigers by ten points with a 25-15 score.

The teams were back-and-forth with scoring for the first time all night in set three. The Phoenix found an opening for a three point advantage, the biggest lead by either team in the set. Cumberland kept that lead until the last few points, when the Tigers came back to tie the match at 23-23. The set dug into extra points with a tie game at  24-24, 25-25, and again at 26-26. Luciana Arena combined with Reid for a block to earn the 27th point and the Phoenix were able to close out the set with a 28-26 score. 

The Tigers worked hard to force a fifth set, earning an early four point lead over the Phoenix. Cumberland came back and controlled the majority of the set, playing clean defense with relentless swinging from Reid and Curcio. The Phoenix looked like they would take the set all the way, but Campellsville picked up enough energy to take the lead back at 21-20. It was another tight race to the finishline but the Tigers were able to pull out a 25-23 win and tie up the match.

It was a point-for-point style of play to start set five, with neither team taking a significant lead. The Phoenix fought to pull ahead of the Tigers by two points at the 8-6 score. From then on, Cumberland was unstoppable. Hazel Konkel put away two huge blocks for the Phoenix to secure their lead even further. Cumberland used their high energy to pull out a great win, taking the set with a 15-8 score.

Bianca Rodriquez posted a double-double in the effort with 22 assists and 15 digs. Shea Moore led her defenders with 28 digs over the five sets. 

Cumberland moves to a 10-3 conference record, handing Campbellsville their second conference loss this season. 

The Phoenix will be back in action at Fisk University next Tuesday for a 6 pm match.