MISHAWAKA, Ind.- The Indiana University South Bend Titans (1-6, 1-0 CCAC) fell in game one of their Saturday Doubleheader to the Cumberland University Phoenix (7-7) in straight sets by scores of 16-25, 19-25, 21-25.
Set 1
Cumberland gained an early lead in set one, winning nine of the first twelve points to jump out to a 9-3 lead, forcing IUSB Head Coach Alison Derdzinski to use her first timeout. The Titans scored the next three points out of the timeout thanks to a Phoenix error, an ace by Taylor Hostetler, and a kill by Ryleigh Grott. Both teams traded points until the 12-10 mark of set one, when Cumberland scored five consecutive points to extend their lead to 17-10. IU South Bend answered back with three straight points thanks to Phoenix attack errors and a kill by Abigail Seeger. Cumberland scored eight of the next eleven points to win set one 25-16.
Set 2
Tied at 8-8, the Phoenix went on a 13-4 run to gain a comfortable 21-12 lead. Three kills by Abigail Seeger and single kills by Macy Sherman, Alexis Joyner and Ryleigh Grott helped the Titans get back within striking distance, shortening their deficit to just three points at 22-19. Cumberland University scored the games next three points to win set two by a score of 25-19.
Set 3
The Phoenix jumped out to an early 5-1 lead before the Titans scored four straight points on two Cumberland errors, a kill by Abby Weber, and an ace by Macy Sherman to tie the game at 5-5. A back and forth contest saw set three tied as late as 15-15, before Cumberland went on a 10-6 run to make themselves victorious, winning set three by a score of 25-21.
Offensively, both Macy Sherman and Abigail Seeger finished one kill shy of a double-double while setter Emma Knowlton led the passing game with 26 assists. Defensive specialist Sydney Hanna led the team in digs while 16 while Felisha Campanello tallied two blocks.
The Indiana University South Bend Titans return to action on Saturday, September 2nd, when they conclude their doubleheader with a 1:00 PM game against Grace College.