CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University overcame a first-set setback and controlled the final three frames Thursday night, defeating Brescia University 14-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22 behind a balanced attack and strong net defense at Gosser Gymnasium.
- Campbellsville improved to 22-8 overall and 6-2 in Mid-South Conference play, winning the final three sets after dropping the opener by 11 points.
- The Tigers recorded a .264 hitting percentage with 53 kills, compared to Brescia's .128 mark and 37 kills. Campbellsville hit above .300 in each of the final two sets, including a match-best .419 in the third.
- Elif Akcivi led all players with 15 kills while hitting .312. She produced five kills in both the third and fourth sets to help Campbellsville pull away.
- Libby Erwin and Riley Thorne each added 10 kills, with Thorne posting a team-best .389 hitting percentage and contributing three block assists.
- Kati Vest orchestrated the offense with 38 assists, helping Campbellsville average 13.3 kills per set over the final three frames. She also added three kills on four swings for a .750 hitting percentage.
- The Tigers controlled play at the net with 19 total blocks points (three solo blocks and 16 block assists). Sophie Hill totaled seven blocks, including three solos, while Larkin Taylor added four block assists.
- Marisa Gallardo anchored the back row with a match-high 13 digs, while Campbellsville generated six service aces from five different players.
Brescia seized control early, capitalizing on Campbellsville miscues to claim the opening set 25-14.
The Bearcats used a pair of service aces and several extended runs to build a double-digit advantage. Campbellsville received early kills from Erwin,
Kaytlin Miller, Akcivi, and Hill, but Brescia closed the frame on a 7-2 run behind the attacking duo of Callie Mason and Kendyn Syfert.
The Tigers answered immediately in the second set.
A six-point run behind
Celestina Retumban's serve transformed a 1-1 tie into a 7-1 Campbellsville advantage. Retumban contributed an ace during the stretch, while Thorne, Erwin, and Akcivi each found the floor. Campbellsville maintained control throughout the set and closed a 25-19 victory after forcing multiple Brescia attacking errors late.
Campbellsville delivered its strongest offensive performance of the night in the third.
Back-to-back Erwin aces highlighted a five-point run that turned a 5-5 tie into a 10-5 lead. Akcivi tallied five kills in the frame, while Taylor and Thorne added key terminations as the Tigers hit .419 and steadily built their advantage. Campbellsville scored 10 of the final 15 points to secure a 25-16 win and move within one set of the match.
The fourth set remained tight for much of the evening.
Campbellsville led 14-11 before Brescia responded with a six-point surge to move ahead 15-14. The Tigers answered behind their defense and service pressure. A Gallardo ace, consecutive Brescia errors, and kills from Erwin and Thorne sparked a five-point run that put Campbellsville back in front 21-15.
Brescia trimmed the deficit to 24-22, but Akcivi delivered the match-clinching kill to finish the four-set victory.
Akcivi paced Campbellsville with 15 kills, while Erwin and Thorne added 10 apiece. Vest finished with 38 assists, Gallardo recorded 13 digs, and Hill led the Tigers' blocking effort as Campbellsville secured its 22nd victory of the season.
