Marietta, GA – The UC volleyball team looked to carry some positive momentum into next week's Mid-South Conference Tournament as they faced Life in their regular season finale. Several players stepped up as the Patriots defeated the Running Eagles 3-2 (19-25, 25-20, 25-17, 13-25, 18-16) Thursday night.  With the win the Patriots extend their win streak to four straight matches and improve their record to 17-12.

Lily Chapman notched two kills to help Cumberlands take an early 6-3 lead.  Life utilized a 9-2 run to take a 12-8 lead, however, UC bounced back and cut it to 12-11 on a Mackenzie Koch kill.  That was the closest the Patriots came as Life recorded runs of five and three points to close out the set 25-19 and take the 1-0 lead.

The Patriots got five two-point runs to start the second set to take an 11-6 lead.  The Running Eagles cut the lead to 11-10 before Koch tallied a kill and a block to extend UC's lead to three.  The duo of Lexi Lester and Chapman connected twice to push the Patriots lead to 16-11.  After Life cut the lead to one, Leah Crist notched a block and a kill as part of a four-point run to put the Patriots in front 21-16.  Koch closed out the set with a pair of kills to even the score at 1-1.

Cumberlands utilized a pair of four-point runs coupled with a three-point run to take a 16-10 lead in the third set.  UC added a pair of assisted blocks from Genders with kills from Chapman, Ashley Sobocinski, and Genders to give Cumberlands the third set 25-17 and take a 2-0 lead.  Life responded in the fourth set winning it 25-13 and forcing a decisive fifth set.

The two teams traded points to start the fifth set with Crist and Chapman teaming up for a block to put Cumberlands in front 5-4.  UC added a 4-1 run, including a pair of kills from Chapman to hold a 9-5 lead.  The Running Eagles cut the score to 10-8, however, Jennifer Stein hit an ace, while Koch and Genders teamed for a block to give the Patriots a 13-8 advantage.  Life went on a 7-1 run to take a 15-14 lead, but the Patriots rallied scoring four of the final five points of the match to take the set 18-16 and the match 3-2. 

Chapman led the way with a season-high 17 kills to go along with 18 digs, while Koch and Genders tallied nine kills and six assisted blocks each.  Crist chipped in eight kills and four blocks.  Lester and Savannah Schwarz each finished with 21 assists, while Stein notched four aces and 24 digs.  Anna Zuniga added 15 digs in the match.

The Patriots will return to action Thursday, November 14, when they travel to Bowling Green, KY for the MSC Tournament. UC will be the sixth-seed and face third-seed Georgetown in the quarterfinals. Stay tuned to www.cumberlandspatriots.com or UC social media accounts for match times.   

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