Williamsburg, KY – Three Patriots recorded five kills each, however, it wasn't enough as the UC volleyball team fell to Life 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-13) Thursday night at UC Volleyball Gym. With the win, the Running Eagles improve to 14-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play, while the Patriots move to 11-7 overall and 3-5 against the MSC.

Cumberlands opened the match with Anna Zuniga recording assists on three of the first four points to give UC a 4-1 edge.  A Lily Chapman kill paired with a Jennifer Stein ace extend the Patriots lead to 6-3.  Life recorded four straight points before Zuniga found Mackenzie Koch for a kill to tie the match at 7-7.  Koch added a pair of blocks with Olivia Verdecchia and Ashley Sobocinski to put Cumberlands in front 11-9.  Later in the set, the Patriots went on a 5-1 run to extend their lead to 18-14.  Life responded with a 6-1 run to give the Running Eagles a 21-20 lead.  UC was able to tie the match before Life went on a 4-1 run to take the first set 25-22.

Life jumped out to an 11-1 lead to start the second set.  Cumberlands started to rally behind a pair of Chapman and Koch kills coupled with a block from Koch and Verdecchia to cut the deficit to 13-8.  Life tallied runs of four and three points to take a 22-12 lead and eventually won the set 25-15 and extend their lead to 2-0.

The Running Eagles to an early 5-2 lead in the third set before a Koch block and a Sobocinski kill cut the deficit to 5-4.  After trading points, Life six unanswered points to take a 14-6 advantage. Cumberlands started chipping away at the deficit as Savannah Schwarz dished out three assists to cut the deficit to 18-11.  The Running Eagles went on a 7-2 run to close out the set and win the match 3-0.

Chapman, Leah Crist, and Koch finished with five kills each, while Koch added a team-high four blocks.  Zuniga dished out nine assists as Lexi Lester and Schwarz both finished with six apiece.  Stein led the Patriots defense with ten digs and a pair of aces, both of which were team-highs.

The Patriots will return to action Saturday, October 5, when they travel to Barbourville, KY to take on Montreat and Union in a tri-match. UC will face the Cavaliers at 3 p.m. before squaring off with the Bulldogs at 5 p.m.  Live video will be available here, while live stats are available here.  

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