Bowling Green, Ky. – The Lady Lions volleyball team (10-19, 2-15 MSC) closed out its 2021 season on Thursday afternoon after falling to the University of the Cumberlands (20-10, 10-7) in straight sets (22-25, 26-28, 19-25) in the first round of the Mid-South Conference Tournament.

The Lady Lions were in control early in the first set, leading 11-8 before the Patriots went on an 8-1 run to take a 16-12 lead.

The Lady Lions were able to make up those four points and tie the set 16-16 before trading out two points for one point until UC took a 23-18 lead. The Lady Lions were able to go on a 4-1 run to make it 24-22 Patriots, but the No. 6 seed in the tournament was able to close the set out to take a 1-0 lead.

In the second set, the Lady Lions got off to another hot start leading by as many as seven points on two seperate occasions late in the set. But UC wouldn't go away easily, going on a 7-1 run to cut the lead to one at 21-20, with the Lady Lions still leading.

FHU was able to get to set point, leading 24-20, but a 5-0 run by the Patriots gave them the 25-20 lead, and after some back and forth, UC was able to take a 2-0 set lead after rallying late.

In the third set, it was UC who got off to the hot start, leading 10-2 early. The Lady Lions, though, came storming back with a 5-2 run to cut into the lead, before the Patriots countered with a 3-0 run to make it 15-7.

An incredible 8-2 run from the Lady Lions cut the UC lead to just two at 17-15, but the Patriots were able to hang on, scoring eight of the last 12 points to earn the sweep.

Kacey Donegan closed the season out with a strong offensive performance, getting 15 kills at a strong 40-percent clip. She was followed by Claire Walker who finished with 12 kills at a 38-percent clip in her final game as a Lady Lion.

Adleigh Mayes had 32 assists in the contest, and Emma Campbell closed out her final game with 15 digs.