Bowling Green, KY – The top-seeded Patriots began their postseason run Friday afternoon, sweeping #4 seed Cumberland University 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-11) in the Mid-South Conference Tournament semifinals. Cumberlands improves to 33-0 on the season and advance to the MSC Championship for the third consecutive year. 

Cumberlands turned in another efficient performance, hitting .305 as a team while holding the Phoenix to .173. Brynnley Bryant led the attack with a match-high 15 kills on .394 hitting, while Sara Zampedri added 13 kills and a season-high 17 digs for her 11th double-double of the season. Kara Gipson continued her strong play in the middle with seven kills on .417 hitting, and Alana Shiery chipped in six kills and a pair of blocks. 

Setter Savanah Jolly ran the offense to near perfection, dishing out 39 assists to go along with 11 digs, an ace, and three kills on .600 hitting. Elaina Fischer posted four kills and three blocks, while Davey Slaughter anchored the defense with 14 digs and two aces. The Patriots totaled four aces and six team blocks in the victory. 

The opening set was tight early before Bryant and Zampedri sparked a 7-1 run that gave UC control at 17-11. The Patriots closed strong with kills from Gipson and Shiery to secure the 25-18 win. 

In the second, UC overcame a slow start as back-to-back kills from Zampedri and Bryant fueled a 6-0 run to take the lead. The Patriots hit .233 in the frame and pulled away late for a 25-21 win.  

The third set was all UC as the Patriots hit .444 and jumped out to a commanding 15-6 lead behind Jolly's serving and a pair of kills from Bryant. A Zampedri kill and a Slaughter ace sealed the 25-11 victory and the sweep. 

With the win, Cumberlands advances to the MSC Championship for the third consecutive season and will face the winner of #2 seed Lindsey Wilson and #3 seed Campbellsville. First serve is set for 3 p.m. CT on Saturday in Bowling Green, Kentucky. 

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