Christian Lester/Men's Volleyball | Cumberland University, Lebanon
Christian Lester/Men's Volleyball | Cumberland University, Lebanon
Cumberland posts fantastic attacking numbers for a 3-0 sweep of Midway University. The Phoenix recorded a team attack percentage of .321 to handle business on the road.
Christian Lester had another great game for the Phoenix, leading all players with 12 kills while also adding seven digs. Luka Illic picked up eight kills and Kaden Keuhler added seven kills on a fantastic .875%. Caleb Ginnings posted a game-high 11 digs in the effort.
The Eagles were led by Victor Bazzo with nine kills followed by Joey Boujaoude with seven. Midway struggled offensively, recording a .122 attack percentage. CU had four more blocks than the Eagles.
The Phoenix got up early in set one as they earned the first three points, during which Lester picked up a kill from the right side. Cumberland spread their lead out to five points at 8-3 before Midway called the first timeout.
After recollecting in the break, the Eagles recorded a kill and a block for back-to-back points to close in on the Phoenix. Cumberland maintained their composure, making minimal errors and staying ahead of the Eagles by at least three points through the middle stages of the set.
Jordan Pierce assisted Illic on three kills in a row for a 22-15 score, sending Midway into their final timeout of the set.
The Phoenix cruised through the set with an eight point victory and an impressive team attack percentage of .391. Cumberland made only three errors in the front row while picking up 12 kills.
The Eagles put up a much better fight in set two as they found a significant improvement in their attacking. The teams traded points from the first serve and through the middle parts of the set, with neither side making more than a three point run.
Tied at 18 apiece, Cumberland picked up a pair of blocks to earn point 20 with a two point advantage. Ginnings set Illic up for a kill on the outside to keep the run going for a 21-18 score.
Kaden Kuehler ended the set with a swing out of the middle for a 24-21 victory. Cumberland improved their already impressive attacking, picking up 14 kills in the set with only four errors at .400%.
The Eagles also bettered their attacking to make the set a close one as they totaled 13 kills but one more error than CU.
Illic went on a three point run from behind the service line to pick up an early 7-4 lead in set three. The Phoenix held down that lead throughout the entire set, pushing it out as far as seven points on two different occasions.
Cumberland closed out set three with a 6-0 run, during which Lester registered back-to-back aces. CJ Freeman ended the set and the game with a kill from the middle for a 25-17 win.
The Phoenix will stay on the road for a tri match this weekend hosted by Georgetown. They will first face Aquinas College on Saturday at 11 am. CU will then take on #6 Georgetown for the second time this season at 2 pm.
Original source can be found here
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