Bowling Green, KY – The tenth-ranked University of the Cumberlands Volleyball team continues to make history, earning seven All-Conference selections and five of the top honors as part of the 2025 Mid-South Conference awards, announced by league officials Wednesday.
 
The Patriots swept nearly every major honor, as Sara Zampedri was named MSC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, Savanah Jolly earned Setter of the Year, and Davey Slaughter captured Defender of the Year. In addition, Head Coach Kathryn Park was named MSC Coach of the Year for the second time, while Jung Park earned MSC Assistant Coach of the Year honors for the second season in a row.
 
Cumberlands also placed seven players on the All-Conference teams, with Zampedri, Jolly, Slaughter, Kara Gipson, Brynnley Bryant, and Alana Shiery earning First Team honors, while Elaina Fischer garnered Second Team recognition.
 
The Patriots record-breaking season saw them post a perfect 32-0 overall mark, including a 12-0 record in conference play, en route to capturing their first-ever MSC Regular Season Championship.
 
Zampedri proved to be one of the most dominant attackers in the league, tallying 348 kills on a .281 hitting percentage while adding 68 service aces and 247 digs on the year. The Italian native averaged 3.69 kills per set, ranking among the conference's top hitters, and recorded double-digit kills in 19 matches.
 
Jolly orchestrated Cumberlands offense at an elite level, earning Setter of the Year after dishing out 976 assists—an average of 10.73 per set—to go along with 84 kills, 30 service aces, and 248 digs. The junior setter notched 30 or more assists in 21 matches and was key to the Patriots balanced attack that hit .321 as a team. This marks the third straight season Jolly has earned All-Conference recognition.
 
Slaughter anchored UC's back row, posting a team-leading 408 digs for 4.21 digs per set, while also adding 62 service aces to earn MSC Defender of the Year. The senior libero recorded double-digit digs in 23 matches and was the defensive spark behind Cumberlands undefeated regular season.
 
Gipson continued to dominate at the net for the Patriots, earning her third straight All-Conference honor. The junior middle blocker hit an impressive .510 to lead the NAIA, along with 201 kills and 70 blocks. Her efficiency and presence at the net helped UC limit opponents to just a .083 hitting percentage.
Bryant was a key contributor to UC's offensive depth, ranking fourth in the MSC in kills and fourth in kills per set. The sophomore outside hitter tallied 313 kills on a .262 hitting percentage, while adding 237 digs, 27 aces, and 22 blocks. Bryant's consistency and power on the outside gave UC one of the most balanced attacks in the nation.
 
Shiery has made an immediate impact in her second season as a Patriot, recording 187 kills on a .406 hitting percentage while adding 91 blocks, ranking among the MSC leaders in both categories.
 
Rounding out UC's honorees, Fischer earned Second Team recognition as a freshman after a strong regular season, posting 81 kills on a .314 hitting percentage with 48 blocks across 66 sets played.
 
The Patriots will now turn their attention to the Mid-South Conference Tournament, where they enter as the top seed seeking to add another milestone to an already historic season.
 
UC will return to action Friday, November 14^th, when they face the winner of #4 seed Cumberland University and #5 seed Bethel (Tenn.)  in the semifinals of the MSC Tournament in Bowling Green, KY. First serve is set for 4 p.m. ET/ 3 CT.
 
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