Athens, TN – The University of the Cumberlands volleyball team continued their strong start to the 2019 season as they defeated Tennessee Wesleyan 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-22) to extend their win streak to six straight Saturday afternoon.  With the win, the Patriots improve to 8-2 on the season, which is their best start since 2016, while the Bulldogs move to 0-2.

UC got off to a quick start using a pair of three-point runs to take a 6-2 lead to begin the match.  The Bulldogs cut the lead to 8-7 before notched six straight points, including a pair of aces from Rachel Scott to extend the lead to 14-7.  Abbie Genders added three kills to extend the Patriots lead to 20-14. After trading points, Lexi Lester found Mackenzie Koch for a kill to close out the first set 25-16 and take a 1-0 lead.

The second set was a back-and-forth match with the score being tied four times in the first 14 points of the match.  An Ashley Sobocinski kill sparked a 7-1 run for the Patriots, including three aces, to put Cumberlands in front 15-8.  Leah Crist added a pair of kills and teamed with Genders for a block to extend the lead to 19-9. The Bulldogs cut the lead to 19-12, however that was the closest it got as UC ended the set on a 6-2 run to take the set 25-14 and extend their lead to 2-0.

The third set began similar to the second with six ties to even the score at 7-7.  Sobosinski tallied a pair of kills to put UC in front 9-6.  Anna Zuniga dished out two assists to extend the Patriots lead to 13-9 before Tennessee Wesleyan notched five straight points to take a 14-13 advantage.  UC responded with four straight points, including an ace from Jennifer Stein to retake the lead.  The Bulldogs brought the set within one point twice but Cumberlands strong play held on to clinch the set 25-22 and the match 3-0.

Sobocinski and Genders led the way for Cumberlands with nine kills each as Koch and Crist added six and five kills, respectfully.  Lexi Lester dished out a team-high 12 assists, while Zuniga chipped in nine assists.  Stein tallied nine digs as Juliet Montague and Sobocinski finished with eight and seven, respectfully. 

Cumberlands tallied a season-high 13 aces in the match led by Scott who finished with four.  Jessica Putnam added three as Stein and Lester each finished with two aces apiece.  

The Patriots will return to action Wednesday, September 4, when they host Cumberland in their home opener as well as the Mid-South Conference opener. First serve is set for 7 p.m. with live video available here and live stats available here.  

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