CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – After a strong regular season, the Campbellsville University Tigers have secured the #3 seed for the Mid-South Conference Tournament. The Tigers (21-13 overall, 7-4 MSC) will face the #6 seed Freed-Hardeman Lions (18-15 overall, 3-9 MSC) in the tournament quarterfinals.
The match is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. The winner will advance to the semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. ET to play the winner of the match between the #2 seed Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders and the #7 seed Georgetown Tigers.
Campbellsville enters the postseason with confidence against their first-round opponent, having defeated Freed-Hardeman in both regular-season meetings.
In their first regular-season match-up, the Tigers traveled to Henderson, Tennessee, on October 3rd. They secured a grueling five-set road win (26-28, 28-26, 25-17, 23-25, 15-6). In the October 31st rematch at home, Campbellsville's dominance increased. They took the match in four sets (25-22, 25-20, 19-25, 25-9), finishing with a rout in the final frame.
Earning the #3 seed, the Tigers completed a 21-win season highlighted by a powerful, multi-faceted attack and one of the most aggressive serving games in the conference.
The Tigers' offense has been potent, averaging 12.81 kills per set. They have held opponents to just a .160 hitting percentage. The attack is led by a balanced group of hitters:
- Elif Akcivi: Leads the team with 268 total kills.
- Emily Aabye: A strong six-rotation threat with 206 kills (3.03 per set).
- Sophie Hill: Leads the team in blocks and has contributed 176 kills.
- Riley Thorne: Another key middle with 156 kills.
- Brooke Hager: One of the most efficient middles in the nation, posting 192 kills on a staggering .426 hitting percentage. She will, unfortunately, miss the postseason due to injury.
Setter
Kati Vest has orchestrated this balanced attack all season. She amassed 1,049 assists (9.04 per set) while adding 36 aces and 231 digs.
Campbellsville's greatest strength has been the advantage at the service line and at the net. The team has racked up 274 service aces, compared to just 193 for their opponents. Five different players have recorded 30 or more aces.
Maddie Pennington leads with 41, followed by
Claire Hammond (39), Vest (36),
Olivia Hellman (34), and Akcivi (30).
In the back row, Pennington has been the defensive anchor. She collected a team-high 470 digs (3.73 per set). She is supported by
Mya Leach (212 digs), Akcivi (182 digs), and Hellman (179 digs).
At the net, the Tigers have posted 246 total blocks, while opponents have 198. Hill has been dominant, leading with 113 total blocks (14 solo). Thorne (58 blocks),
Madison Farmer (51 blocks), and Hager (51 blocks) have helped solidify the front line.
Should Campbellsville win the opening round, their next opponent will be either the Blue Raiders or the rival Tigers. In regular-season match-ups, Campbellsville swept Georgetown 2-0 and split two matches 1-1 with Lindsey Wilson, with both contests against Lindsey Wilson ending in sweeps.
