Lady Bulldogs Dig Deep: Fisk Extends Historic Streak in Rivalry Thriller Over Cumberland
Lady Bulldogs Dig Deep: Fisk Honors Andre “Dre” Bell in Rivalry Win Over Cumberland -Endless rallies, senior leadership, and an 18-game streak power Fisk past Phoenix.
NASHVILLE, TN - In a classic Nashville-area rivalry clash Tuesday night, the Fisk University Lady Bulldogs (24-4 overall, 10-0 in division) outlasted the Cumberland University Phoenix (15-14, 5-2 conference) in a hard-fought four-set victory, 25-14, 19-25, 25-21, 25-16. The night carried deeper meaning: the match was dedicated to Andre “Dre” Bell, a 20-year-old sophomore men’s basketball player at Fisk who was fatally shot on January 11, 2026, while driving on Interstate 65 North near the I-40 interchange in Nashville. Bell’s family was in attendance, and the Lady Bulldogs wore special t-shirts during pregame warmups to celebrate his life and honor his memory.
The match itself showcased the best of volleyball—extended rallies where both sides repeatedly dug balls that looked destined for kills, turning potential points into prolonged battles of will and skill. Fisk jumped out fast in the opening set behind strong serving from Kaia Barnett and kills from Laila Esters and Shelby Chamblin, building a commanding lead and closing on a block by La’Niyah Lumpkin and Reagan Jones. Cumberland responded in the second, capitalizing on service aces and attack errors to even the match. The third and fourth sets belonged to the Lady Bulldogs, who tightened their defense and attacked with precision.
Coach Jessica Enderle called it a true test. “This was a test for us,” she said. “We scheduled two tough matches this week… I think we handled it very well. The defense on both sides was just incredible tonight. Some of those rallies… oh, that’s gonna be a point. But no, they would catch it.”
Senior outside hitter Reagan Jones and senior center Kaia Barnett, longtime friends who have played with and against each other since age 13, led the charge. “Tonight’s game was great… a great opportunity to play some high-level competition,” Jones said. “We came in with a little chip on our shoulder knowing it’s typically been a rivalry with Cumberland. It was an adrenaline-filled match. Super fun.” Barnett added, “We were all just firing on all cylinders. We came in locked in, ready to go… and we just set it on the floor.”
The win stretched Fisk’s winning streak to 18 games—the longest in program history. The Lady Bulldogs have not dropped a match since August and remain undefeated in division play. While national rankings show Fisk receiving votes in recent NAIA coaches’ polls, the focus stays internal. “We’re not satisfied with 18 in a row yet,” Jones said. “We’re going to keep pushing until conference, through conference, up until the NAIA tournament. Our goals are still continuing to grow.” Barnett noted the ceiling keeps rising with every win.
Enderle praised the group’s maturity and culture. “We’re very blessed with a very good group… they’re just good people. They love each other as a team. Reagan and Kaia—I’ve known Reagan since pretty much before she was born… that just shows how close-knit our girls are.” Looking ahead to conference championships in Shreveport, Louisiana, Enderle said the team will not fear the streak. “Don’t fear what you’re chasing… We’re going to step into this role. We’re going to own it because this is something that our program has worked really hard for.”
With senior night and the postseason approaching, Fisk continues building brick by brick—honoring those who came before while proving that in this rivalry and beyond, the Lady Bulldogs are here to stay and here to win.
Next game up: Freed - Hardeman University - at home Oct. 22 (7pm)
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