Lebanon, TN – The UC volleyball team started strong winning the first set but it wasn't enough as the Patriots fell 3-1 to Cumberland Wednesday night. With the win the Phoenix improve to 14-8, while the Patriots move to 12-9 overall.

In the first set UC dug out of an early 3-0 deficit with four straight points, including three assists from Lexi Lester, to take a 4-3 advantage. Cumberland used a 10-6 run to take a 13-10 lead.  The Patriots rallied to score nine unanswered points to take a 19-13 lead.  Olivia Verdecchia and Mackenzie Koch each tallied a pair of kills, while Jennifer Stein notched two aces.  The teams traded points before the Phoenix went on a 6-0 run to even the match at 21-21.  The Patriots responded with four straight points to take the first set 25-21 and the 1-0 lead.

The second set started similar to the first as the Patriots tallied three straight points to take an early 4-3 lead.  Cumberland use a 5-1 run to take and 8-5 lead, however, UC chipped away at the deficit and eventually tied the set at 11-11.  A couple points later Koch notched a pair of kills to cut the deficit to 14-13, which was the closest UC came as the Phoenix closed out the set on a 9-5 to take the set 25-18 and even the score at 1-1. The Phoenix won the next two sets 25-7, and 25-16 to win the match 3-1.

Ashley Sobocinski led the way with eight kills, while Koch finished with eight kills and three blocks.  Chapman and Crist tallied six kills and three blocks each.  Juliet Montague and Stein each notched 11 digs in the match as Stein added four aces.

The Patriots will return to action Tuesday, October 9, when they travel to Columbia, KY to face Lindsey Wilson in a conference showdown.  First serve is slated for 6:30 p.m. with live video will be available here, while live stats are available here. 

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