Bowling Green, KY – UC volleyball began play at the MSC Tournament as the fourth-seed taking on the fifth-seed Running Eagles of Life University on Thursday. The Patriots overcame an 0-2 deficit to force a decisive fifth set but it wasn't enough as UC fell to Life by scores of 25-14, 25-19, 17-25, 23-25, 15-11. After the match, Life improves to 18-13 on the year while Cumberlands concludes the season with a 14-17 record.
The first set started in the Eagles' favor as they jumped ahead to 5-2 then continued to increase their lead to 14-7. Life pushed their lead to 18-9 just before UC managed to shrink the deficit to 20-14. From there, the Eagles took the final five points to win the first set 25-14.
In the second set, the Patriots went ahead early 4-0, but slowly Life chipped away at the lead until the score was 10-9 UC. The Eagles went on a terror to steal the lead at 16-11 and move ahead further to 20-13. Cumberlands pieced together a rally to shorten the lead to 22-18, however Life continued on to win the set 25-19.
After each team traded the lead to start the third set, Cumberlands scored eight straight to go up 10-3. The Eagles slowly knocked down the lead until they came within a point at 14-13. The Patriots then increased their lead to 19-15 and against Life shortened it to 19-17. UC recorded six unanswered points to win the third set 25-17 and cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Patriots looked to be in control to begin the fourth set as they started with a 7-4 lead, however the Eagles took six straight to take the 10-7 lead. Just like before Cumberlands chipped away at the lead until they were able to tie up the set at 18-18. Points were traded back and forth until Life took three for a 23-21 lead. UC then took four of their own to win the fourth set 25-23 and force the fifth set.
In the fifth and final set, it was a battle for the win as each team swapped leads back and forth early. The Eagles then dominated and scored six points in a row to go up 10-5. UC then worked back the score to come within a point at 11-10. Each team traded a point and with the score 12-11, Life scored three straight points to win the match and final set 15-11.
Offensively,
Mackenzie Koch led with 14 kills while
Megan Jackson chipped in ten of her own. Due to an injury to the Patriots' main setter,
Jessica Severs had to adjust from right side to setter. Severs tallied 33 assists in the match as well as 7 digs and 3 kills.
Tara Routliffe earned 21 digs as
Megan Willoughby had 18.
Jennifer Stein recorded a career-high four service aces, Jackson and Willoughby each had three.
Life now advances to the semifinals where they will take on first-seed Lindsey Wilson College on Friday, November 10. Lindsey Wilson defeated Pikeville 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
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