CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The Campbellsville University Lady Tigers volleyball team got a bit of a scare from the University of the Cumberlands Patriots on Tuesday night in their second Mid-South Conference matchup. Although CU claimed victory in the match, 3-1, the Patriots outplayed them in set three and were close to sending the match to five. The set scores were 25-12, 25-14, 23-25, 25-18.
Some of Campbellsville's alternate players helped add to the kill tally on the night, including sophomore Tara Robertson, who slammed down seven kills on the night. Other Lady Tigers who stepped up were Giselle Hernandez, who aided the Tigers with three kills and five digs, and Jana Kortas with two kills and one dig.
The first set went easily for CU, which opened the game at Powell Athletic Center with a few quick kills and kept a high tempo that UC was not prepared for. Every Lady Tiger hitter contributed at least one kill, and in contrast, the Cumberlands team could not effectively mount its offense to match CU's. The Lady Tigers' Caitlin Dresing was a huge factor in not only this set but all others as well, fitting well into the libero position tonight as she dug up five balls for the first set victory, 25-12.
More of the same was present in game two as the Lady Tigers continued to attack forcefully but intelligently. In the second set, which Campbellsville took 25-14, UC only earned two more points than in the first, yet it was much more energized and showed better serve receive and offensive attacks.
Set three was where the tables began to turn in favor of the Patriots, who came out scrappy and much more animated. The set held a couple of really long rallies, where both teams fought hard for points. The score was back-and-forth until the Patriots tied the game at 23-23. The Lady Tigers called a timeout in order to regroup, but the Cumberlands' energy was high and ended the third set with a kill, making the score 25-23.
After a lapse in the third set, the Lady Tigers began a steady battle for the win in set four. They started off slow, but were able to pull together thanks to Haley Bechtel, a freshman who played all the way around with 14 kills and 16 digs in the match. Seven of her kills came in the final set. Junior Daiane Souza also stepped up her game at a crucial time, knocking down four kills for a total of 15 on the night. The efforts of these two Lady Tigers, combined with the fighting spirit of the whole Campbellsville team, allowed CU to come out of their momentary regression and rally for victory, 25-18.
Kira Stewart had a career-high 52 assists as well as three aces.
The Lady Tigers (4-1, 1-1 MSC) will travel to Bourbonnais, Ill., over the weekend to compete in the Olivet Nazarene Tournament.
