KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The defending champions returned to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I Volleyball Tournament on Thursday and didn't appear to have missed a beat from last December's title run.

Campbellsville University shut down seventh-seed King College in three sets to start the morning session at Kissimmee Civic Center, 25-22, 25-20, 25-21.





The win was the second straight for the third-seed Lady Tigers (31-10) over Mid-East Region foe King, who challenged CU in a hard fought region final two weeks ago. But most importantly, it was a win that showed head coach Amy Eckenfels and assistant Billy Gregory some things they've been looking for all season - an energy and connection on the court.

"We were over there high fiving each other, because you we'd see something and before we could tell you, you'd go out there and do it," Eckenfels told her team following the win.

Leading the momentum for CU was senior setter, and Mid-East Region Player of the Year, Caroline Martin of Curitaba, Brazil. Martin collected her 31st double-double (assists-digs) of the season with 39 assists and 11 digs.

"I was really pleased with the way they moved as a team, their effort and the team defense," Eckenfels said, But I think Carol really stepped up and showed her senior leadership. The team really responded well to her. She showed everybody how she can play and everybody followed her."

The team defensive effort was one of the Top 5 of the season for a 3-set match, as the Lady Tigers collected 74 total digs.

The returning tournament MVP, Shannon Cahill, picked up where she left off last season, leading CU's attack with 13 kills, 15 digs and an ace. The performance was important for the Louisiville, Ky., native, because she spent most of Wednesday studying for a nursing school exam, which she had to take online Thursday prior to the match - causing her to miss part of her pre-match warm-ups.

Other top dig collectors were Audrey Sanders (11), Giselle Hernandez (8), Lexis Lloyd (8), Monica Chernichan (7) and Samantha James (6). Chernichan also had double-figure kills with 11.

Campbellsville will look to build off its 3-0 win when it faces Trinity Christian College (Ill.) at 2 p.m. in its final pool play match of the day.

"It's so important when you can beat a team 3-0 or come out strong to start this tournament," Eckenfels said. "I told the girls after the match, they need to know that they're the defending champs and they need to recognize that. I don't think people here are giving them the respect they deserve, especially with where we are seeded."

CU closes pool play Friday with a noon match against Southeastern (Fla.) University and a 4 p.m. rematch of last year's championship against Mount Vernon Nazarene University of Ohio.

Live Scoring of all matches can be viewed on the NCCAA Web site, here.

Live Video of all matches may also be viewed for free by clicking here.