CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The Tigers hosted the Cumberland University Phoenix at Gosser on Tuesday night for their sixth Mid-South Conference match of the season. The Tigers' relentless offensive and defensive efforts led to their sixth conference victory of the season, 3-0.
The first set started with an attack error in the Phoenix's favor, but the Tigers quickly retaliated with a kill from Molly Shannon. The teams kept going back and forth, continuously tying the scoreboard. However, Campbellsville swiftly took the lead of the frame. Shannon continued to widen the Tigers' advantage with two back-to-back kills assisted by Taylor Thacker and MSC Setter of the Week Camryn Rich. As Campbellsville held a seven-point advantage, a kill from Hannah McGill and a bad set from Cumberland closed the first set with a win for the Tigers, 25-17.
McGill set the second frame into motion with another kill assisted by Rich. The Tigers earned an early hold on the lead, although the Phoenix struck back, tying the score. However, much like set one, the Tigers quickly went on a run with Morgan Furness and Shannon's fierce kills. Brooke Hager and McGill kept tenacious control at the net, blocking Cumberland's attempts to come close to Campbellsville on the scoreboard. With an attack error from the Phoenix, the Tigers took the second set, 25-19.
Cumberland began the third set with a bit of a cushion, but the Tigers clawed back to tie the match. The Phoenix responded, regaining control over the score, but Campbellsville stayed within four points from the lead. Rich matched Cumberland's score at nine, and a service ace by Marisa Gallardo brought the Tigers to the leading end of the scoreboard. Gallardo, as the server, spearheaded 13 straight Tigers points. With a kill from Beyza Bektasoglu and a service error from Cumberland, the Tigers take the third and final set, 25-15.
Campbellsville finished the match with a hitting percentage of .314 and nine aces (seven of which were Gallardo's) compared to Cumberland's .228 hitting percentage and three aces. Shannon led the team with 11 kills, Thacker with 15 digs, and Rich with 32 assists.
The Tigers will be back in action, taking the road to Marion, Indiana against the Saint Francis University and then Taylor University on October 6th, beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
