Kansas City, MO – The University of the Cumberlands Volleyball team capped off its historic 2025 campaign ranked ninth in the NAIA Postseason Coaches' Poll, the highest ranking in program history, announced by the national office Wednesday.

The Patriots finished the year with a 36-1 overall record, including a perfect 12-0 mark in Mid-South Conference play, earning the program's first MSC regular season title. UC entered the national tournament as the winningest team in the NAIA and spent the majority of the season ranked inside the top ten.

Cumberlands closed the regular season on a dominant run, entering the postseason at 32-0 and riding the nation's longest winning streak. The Patriots continued to showcase offensive efficiency all year long, finishing the season ranked first in the NAIA in attack percentage at .312 and fourth nationally in assists per set at 13.08.

Individually, the Patriots featured one of the most balanced and productive lineups in the country. First Team All-American, Sara Zampedri, led the team with 415 kills, averaging 3.71 per set, while Brynnley Bryant added 387 kills at a .260 clip. Setter Savanah Jolly orchestrated UC's offense with 1,320 total assists, averaging 10.98 per set, and libero Davey Slaughter anchored the defense with 500 digs (4.31 per set).

At the net, Alana Shiery (109 total blocks), Kara Gipson (83), and Elaina Fischer (61) helped UC average 1.89 blocks per set, nearly doubling their opponents' production.

The Patriots also dominated from the service line, posting 309 aces—an average of 2.6 per set.

Lindsey Wilson was the only other Mid-South Conference program mentioned in the postseason rankings, receiving votes.

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