Grand Rapids, MI – UC Volleyball wrapped up the final day of the Cornerstone/Aquinas Tournament on Saturday. The Patriots started the day with a loss to the 16^th-ranked Crusaders of Madonna University 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-14), before falling to 18^th-ranked Golden Eagles of Cornerstone University 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-21). After the tournament, the Patriots fall to 11-13 on the year.

The first match started in Madonna's favor as they jumped ahead quickly at 5-1 then increased their lead to 13-7. Cumberlands battled back with six straight to tie the match at 13-13 and continued on to steal the lead at 16-15. Madonna rallied to outscore UC, 7-1, to take back the lead at 22-17. The Patriots chipped the lead to 23-20, before the Crusaders scored the next two points for a 25-20 set win.

In the second set, each team traded points until the Crusaders took used a 3-0 run to take a 5-2 lead. After UC knocked the lead down to 6-5, Madonna took the next five of six to extend their lead to 11-6. Cumberlands scored two then the Crusaders had three straight to increase their lead to 14-8. Madonna continued to stay in control while increasing their lead to 20-13. The Patriots shortened the lead slightly yet the Crusaders went on to win the set 25-16.

After UC took the first point of the third set, Madonna scored seven straight for a 7-1 lead. The teams swapped points then the Crusaders took three straight for the 12-4 lead. Cumberlands shortened the lead to 15-9, although Madonna scored eight of the next nine for a 23-10 lead. UC again attempted to bring the score close at 24-14, but the Crusaders went on to win the match and set 25-14.

Mackenzie Koch led the team in kills with 12 as Jessica Severs earned ten of her own. Routliffe had 16 digs with Severs recording ten to earn a double-double. Lynsey Short tallied 27 assists and two aces in the match. Madeleine Lee gathered two assisted blocks.

In the second match of the day, Cornerstone took the first lead at 5-1. UC worked back to bring the lead close at 6-5 then the Eagles increased their lead to 8-5. Both teams went point-for-point until Cornerstone rallied several times for an 18-12 lead. UC wouldn't back down though and brought the score close at 21-20. However the Eagles kept their lead to win the first set 25-22.

The second set went back-and-forth until the Eagles went up for a 9-5 lead. UC scored two to shrink it down, but six straight points for Cornerstone put their lead to 15-7. After Cumberlands attempted a comeback, the Eagles increased their lead further to 19-10. The Patriots managed to close the gap at 22-16, except Cornerstone score three for the 25-16 second set win.

UC held the early advantage in the third set after several ties at 9-6. Cornerstone fought back to tie the match at 11-11 before stealing the lead with six straight at 18-13. The Patriots shortened the lead to 19-16 then brought the set closer at 21-20. Each team traded points until Cornerstone won the final three points for a match and set win at 25-21.

Jessica Severs had another double-double in the match with 11 kills and ten digs, then chipped in a pair of service aces. Mackenzie Koch chipped ten kills in the match. Tara Routliffe notched 21 digs. Lynsey Short recorded 30 assists. Abbie Genders tallied two assists blocks.

The Patriots will return to the court on Tuesday, October 17, in Georgetown, KY. Cumberlands will face the 17^th-ranked Tigers of Georgetown. In the last meeting between the two on September 19, the Tigers took the 3-0 win over UC. First serve on Tuesday is set for 7 p.m.

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