CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The Tigers hosted the Patriots of University of the Cumberlands Tuesday night at Gosser Gymnasium where Campbellsville took a win in their first conference match of the season, 3-2.
The first set started with a service ace from the Patriots, quickly followed by a kill from Cierra Merrick, preventing the Cumberlands from getting far ahead. Despite the Patriots taking the lead, the Tigers remained only a few points behind. Camryn Rich and Taylor Thacker kept racking up assists for their fellow teammates, such as Merrick and Molly Shannon. However, the Patriots kept a stronghold on the ball at the net, with an eight-point advantage on the scoreboard. The Tigers did not let this discourage them, as they restored their efforts and their offense forward. Despite Campbellsville's efforts, the Cumberlands won the first set, 25-20.
The second set of the game kicked off with a kill from the Patriots, quickly followed by a service error in the Tigers' favor. Brooke Hager blocked an attack from the Cumberlands as the scoreboard tied at five. With an attack error from the Patriots and a fierce kill by Morgan Furness, the Tigers took the lead. Although the Cumberlands remained within a couple of points from Campbellsville, the Tigers remained in the lead throughout the second frame. An attack from the Patriots blocked by Hager and Shannon closed the set with a Campbellsville win, 25-22.
Merrick began the third set with two back-to-back kills assisted by Rich. As the Tigers collected six points on the scoreboard, the Patriots were yet to score any points in their favor. As the third frame unfolded, Hannah McGill sent home three kills, widening Campbellsville's score. Furness and Merrick's skillful kills did not allow the Patriots to catch up to the Tigers. The Cumberlands continued to stack attack errors in Campbellsville's favor, propelling the Tigers forward even further. Hager and Shannon kept blocking attacks from the Patriots throughout the frame. Campbellsville ended the third set with another win, 25-17.
The fourth set started with an attack error from the Tigers, granting the Patriots the initial advantage. However, Campbellsville was quick to retaliate with back-to-back kills by Hager. Both teams kept going back and forth over the lead, staying within a point from one another through the development of the fourth frame. Merrick and Furness continued to collect kills in the Tigers' favor while keeping steadfast control at the net. The Cumberlands took the lead, but Campbellsville did not stay far on the scoreboard. McGill and Hager landed kill after kill, bringing the Tigers closer to the Patriots. Despite the Tigers' efforts, Cumberlands won the fourth set 25-23.
The fifth frame was set into motion with a kill by McGill assisted by Rich. Continuous attack errors from the Patriots boosted the Tigers' score. Both teams kept tying in the first half of the deciding set, continuously matching the other's kills and only falling only one point behind one another. However, the Tigers went on a huge run with the score 8-7 for them, eventually winning, 15-7.
Campbellsville finished the match with a hitting percentage of .193, four aces, and eight blocks, compared to Cumberlands' .141 hitting percentage, seven aces, and two blocks. Merrick led the team with 20 kills, Thacker with 29 digs, and Rich with 52 assists.
The Tigers will be back in action hosting the Georgetown College Tigers on September 22nd, beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
