Sioux City, IA – The ninth-ranked Cumberlands volleyball team continued its historic postseason run Thursday afternoon, defeating No. 17 Midland 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-17) in its NAIA Final Site debut at the Tyson Events Center. The win marks the Patriots' first-ever victory at the NAIA Final Site and improves their record to 36-0 on the season.

UC put together one of its most balanced performances of the year, hitting .309 as a team while holding Midland to just .142. Sara Zampedri and Brynnley Bryant led the attack with 10 kills apiece, while Alana Shiery and Kara Gipson combined for 17 kills and two blocks. Setter Savanah Jolly directed the offense with 32 assists, adding seven digs and six kills, while Davey Slaughter anchored the defense with a team-high 10 digs and an ace.

The Patriots were sharp from the opening serve, hitting .400 in the first set while using a 9-1 run to pull away early. Bryant and Zampedri combined for eight kills in the frame as UC rolled to a 25-15 win.

The second set proved to be the tightest of the match, featuring five ties and six lead changes. The Patriots fell behind 21-19 before rallying behind kills from Shiery and Gipson to tie the score. UC closed the set on a 6-2 run capped by a Zampedri kill to take it 25-23.

Cumberlands carried the momentum into the third, racing out to an 11-5 lead behind strong serving from Autiana Wilson and consistent attacking from Bryant and Shiery. The Patriots hit .275 in the final frame and sealed the 25-17 win with a kill from Zampedri to complete the sweep.

The Patriots will return to the court Friday at 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT to face eighth-ranked McPherson, with the winner advancing to the NAIA Quarterfinals.

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