Bowling Green, KY – Patriots volleyball starts their season of with two wins, propelled by a stellar performance by Allyson Grava. Cumberlands started with a 3-1 victory over Truett McConnell (25-22, 22-25, 26-24, 25-21), then had a 3-0 sweep over Florida College (25-15, 25-20, 25-19).

Game One: Truett-McConnell

In the first game of the day, Grava led the way notching a 18 kill double-double with 16 digs. Shelby Lackey also recorded her first double-double of the season as she tallied 10 kills and 16 digs. Danielle Jackson put in six kills and added five blocks, while Lexi Lester, Juliet Banks, and Kendall Arnold put in two aces apiece. Arnold also came away with 36 assists.
Arnold got the season going for the Pats as she recorded an ace on the opening serve. Back-to-back kills by Grava and Jackson gave UC a 3-1 lead. Grava would put in another kill after three straight errors by the Bears for a 7-1 lead forcing a TMU timeout. Later in the set, the Bears tie the set at 21-21. A block by Emily Prewitt gave the Pats the lead, then an aces from Banks extended the lead to two. Following a TMU point, back-to-back errors gave UC the 1-0 set lead.

Truett-McConnell rebounded to take set two. UC got a hard-fought victory in set three to give them a 2-1 set lead. A block by Jackson and Lackey started the set in UC's favor. After a back and forth few plays, UC gained a 12-7 lead. A kill and a block from Jackson, plus a kill by Lackey gave Cumberlands a 15-9 lead. Following some more back and forth action, the Bears tied the set at 23-23. After a TMU timeout, the Bears notched a point to take the lead, but it did not last for long. UC would score three straight points to take the set. Lackey tied the set with a kill, then Anna Blumeier notched a block and a kill to end it 26-24.

In set four, UC went on an early 5-0 run to gain a 9-4 lead. That run had two kills by Grava. A few plays later The Bears cut the lead down to two 15-13, which sparked another Patriots run. The run started on a block by Prewitt, then Lester notched an ace. Grava followed with back-to-back kills, and Arnold got in on the action with a kill of her own. Now with the 21-15 lead Grava notched three kills to give UC set and match point. Then a TMU error ended the match 25-21.

Coach Kathryn Hart wrapped up the first game by saying, "First matches are always tough but everyone did their part and fought hard for each point. Each player did a great job of overcoming mistakes and playing together. We have to continue to get better at making mid-game adjustments but overall very proud of how we played."

Game Two: Florida College

In game two, Grava led the way with 15 kills while Lackey tallied 9 and Blumeier added 7. Lester and Banks both added 14 digs and Jackson put in four blocks.

The Patriots opened the first set up on fire and the momentum stuck with them the whole match. Grava notched a kill followed by an ace from Arnold for the 3-0 lead. After the Falcons tied the set at 6-6, UC went on an 13-3 run, sponsored by four kills from Grava, one from Lackey and Jackson, plus blocks by Prewitt, Grava, Jackson, Lackey and Blumeier. A few plays later, Lester notched an ace, Grava then notched a kill for set point and Banks ended the set with an ace.

Early in set two both teams were evenly matched. Then with the score tied at 14 all, the Patriots went on an 8-1 run to gain control. The run started with a kill from Blumeier, and a block by Arnold and Prewitt. A kill from Grava forced a Falcons timeout. Following the timeout, Grava notched another kill, Prewitt followed with a kill of her own. After a bad set from Florida College, Grava tallied back-to-back kills for the 22-15 lead.  After another Falcons error Lackey put in a kill for set point, and a bad Florida College set gave UC the set win.

Set three had the Patriots trailing early, as they were down 9-5. Kills from Blumeier and Arnold sparked an 8-1 run to take a 13-10 lead. During the run Grava tallied two kills, Jackson and Prewitt added a kill apiece, while Banks added an ace. A few plays later, UC would go on another run this time taking full control of the set. This 10-3 run end the set and the match. This run started with a Grava kill, followed by a Prewitt kill and a Jackson ace. Blumeier got in on the action with a kill and Lackey came away with two kills.

Coach Hart added, "Our defense is getting better. We are reminding our players that we are going to be a blue collar, hardworking team who needs to bring our lunch box every match and grind it out".
Cumberlands will be back in action tomorrow as they take on McPherson at 11:30 am and Mobile at 4:30 pm.

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