Jeremy Wright, Sports Information Intern

HENDERSON, Tenn. – The Freed-Hardeman University volleyball team (13-9, 2-5 MSC) fell to in-state rival Cumberland University (7-13, 4-3 MSC) in five sets on Saturday (11-25, 25-20, 12-25, 25-18, 10-15).

To start the match, the Lady Lions had the momentum going up 4-0 in the first set. The Phoenix would quickly respond and use a 6-1 run to swing the momentum for the rest of the set. The Phoenix would continue their run and stretch it to a19-7 run to take the first set.

To begin the second set, the Lady Lions would again lead 3-0 to open the set.The Phoenix would again respond with a 6-3 run to tie it up at six until the Lady Lions began to separate, going on a 6-2 run to swing the momentum in their favor. The team would stretch their lead to five points in the set, as they cruised to tie the match at one set apiece.

In the third set, the Phoenix would adjust and take a 3-0 lead. The team would take all the momentum in the set as they led by as many as 12 points to regain the lead at a 2-1 set advantage.

In the fourth set, the Lady Lions would come alive and take another 3-0 lead to start the set. The Phoenix would cut the Lady Lion lead to as little as one-point as the Phoenix started to gain momentum. However, the Lady Lions would respond and lead by as many as seven points and force a decisive fifth set.

To start the fifth set, both teams would open with errors on serves to start at a 1-1 draw. The Phoenix would capitalize off of Lady Lions errors to take a 5-3 lead early in the set. The team kept their momentum going as they stretched their lead to as many as seven points at 13-6 in the set. The Lady Lions would use a 4-1 run to try and make a last second comeback, but ultimately fell short.

Claire Walker would lead the way for the Lady Lions offensively, delivering 18 kills on the day. Kacey Donnegan also toted a 12-kill performance in the match.

Emma Self dished out 24 assists, followed by Allie Humphry, who had 13 assists on the day. Reilly Fulton anchored the team defensively with 28 digs, and Emma Campbell added 10 digs of her own.

The Lady Lions conclude a two-game homestand, and will be back in action on Tuesday as they visit Life University for the second matchup between the teams. The match is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.