BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Campbellsville University women's volleyball team set off to Bowling Green, Ky. for the opening round of the Mid-South Conference Tournament on Thursday. The Lady Tigers competed against Cumberland University and finished the match with a final set score of 0-3.
 
The Lady Tigers went into the Mid-South Conference Tournament with a conference record of 12-4 and an overall record of 22-6. During regular season, Campbellsville fell to Cumberland in an 0-3 sweep. However, The Lady Tigers went into the tournament looking to be victorious over the competition.
 
The first set was unrewarding to the Lady Tigers as they fell to Cumberland University in a set score of 14-25. Campbellsville was only able to produce five kills versus Cumberland's 14. The opposing team seemed to create more opportunity for themselves as they took 35 attacks, whereas the Lady Tigers took 29. The set ended with a Campbellsville serve error leaving the Phoenix to take the set.
 
Campbellsville went into the second set with more grit to beat the Phoenix. The Tigers displayed their desire to get ahead as they were able to win the first point. However, after the first point, it was up and down on the scoreboard. Campbellsville were opportunistic in their kill count. The Tigers made 17 kills in this set, but still trailed Cumberland with their 20 kills. Campbellsville went past the typical 25^th set point in their challenge against the Phoenix. Both teams went back-and-forth on points, each capitalizing off the other team's error. Cumberland University took the second set in a score of 27-29.
 
Into the third set, the Lady Tigers were not going down easy. The Phoenix took the lead early, but the Tigers did not let this affect them. The Tigers first tied up the score at 9-9. This momentum allowed Campbellsville to get ahead of the Phoenix. When the set reached 16-16, both teams were scratching one point each off the other team's lead. Each team struggled to produce digs from the opposing attackers causing them to shank the ball out of bounds. Once Cumberland University reached match point, Campbellsville was able to take advantage of an out of bounds ball from the Phoenix. However, Cumberland University claimed the third set in a score of 21-25.
 
The Lady Tigers fought valiantly in their match-up against the Phoenix. Although Campbellsville did not create opportunity for themselves early on, the Tigers kept up with Cumberland in the end. Cierra Merrick ended the evening with 11 kills, Alina Zellin following her with eight, and Hannah McGill trailing with six. Lead passer Paige Merrick ended the night with 30 assists and Salma Gonzalez-Sosa totaled a team-high 19 digs.
 
Lady Tigers volleyball will now await the finish of the Mid-South Conference Tournament to see if they are selected as an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament.