Phoenix Rally Past Freed-Hardeman, Move to Second in Mid-South
HENDERSON, TN - Cumberland University continued its strong start in Mid-South Conference play Tuesday night, rallying late in the fourth set to defeat Freed-Hardeman University 3-1 and move into second place in the conference standings.
The Phoenix improved to 14-11 overall and 4-1 in Mid-South Conference play, trailing only the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.), which sits atop the conference at 5-0. Cumberland has now won five consecutive matches.
Cumberland controlled the opening two sets, winning 25-18 and 25-20, before Freed-Hardeman answered with a 26-24 victory in the third set to force a fourth-set battle.
The fourth set provided the night's most important stretch of volleyball.
Freed-Hardeman, playing at home, stayed within striking distance throughout the final set and eventually pulled within 20-21. Cumberland responded with a crucial defensive stand at the net. Hailey Jones teamed with AJ Bryant on one block, followed by another block from Jones and Carola Schnidrig, helping the Phoenix regain control.
Schnidrig then delivered an important kill from Carlee Rogers to push Cumberland ahead 23-20. After Freed-Hardeman cut the deficit to 23-21, Rogers answered with another key play, recording a service ace to put Cumberland on the verge of closing out the match.
Freed-Hardeman refused to go quietly, cutting the margin to 24-22. But Cumberland settled down and finished the match when Rogers produced a kill from Kaleigh Glass, giving the Phoenix a 25-22 fourth-set victory and the 3-1 match win.
Schnidrig led Cumberland's attack with 11 kills, while Bianca Guceanu added seven. Jones contributed six kills and was particularly valuable at the net, finishing with six blocks. Jacey Hubbell added four kills.
Rogers was instrumental in directing the Phoenix offense, recording 30 assists and four service aces, while also adding 10 digs. Glass led Cumberland defensively with 13 digs. As a team, the Phoenix finished with 15 service aces, with Jones and Schnidrig recording four apiece and Rogers adding four.
The victory also marked Cumberland's fifth consecutive win and kept the Phoenix firmly in the conference's upper tier. With a 4-1 league record, Cumberland is now alone in second place behind the undefeated Cumberlands Patriots.
The Phoenix will look to continue their momentum Friday when they travel to face Campbellsville University (Ky.) in another Mid-South Conference matchup.
Comments