Lindsey Wilson University

COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Lindsey Wilson volleyball team rallied from a two-set deficit to force a decisive fifth set against Cumberland on Friday at Biggers Sports Center, but the Blue Raiders fell short in a 3-2 loss.

Cumberland claimed the opening two sets 25-21 and 25-12 before Lindsey Wilson responded with 25-21 and 25-19 victories to even the match. The Phoenix took the fifth set 15-12 to secure the win.

Cumberland opened the match with a 25-21 victory in the first set. The Phoenix built an early advantage and held off the Blue Raiders as Lindsey Wilson tried to close the gap. Cumberland carried that momentum into the second set, winning 25-12 to move within one set of the match.

The Blue Raiders responded in the third set, jumping out to an 8-3 advantage behind kills from Tully Bew and Luisina Sandrone Tais and a service ace from Gabi Zuquelo. Cumberland eventually pulled even at 21-21, but Lindsey Wilson scored the final four points of the set. Back-to-back blocks involving Zuquelo, Duda Becho and Bew pushed the Blue Raiders ahead 23-21 before Bew and Sandrone Tais closed the 25-21 victory with consecutive kills off assists from Addison Janes.

Lindsey Wilson carried the momentum into the fourth set and erased a 15-11 deficit with an eight-point run. Bew started the surge with a kill, while Sandrone Tais delivered three kills during the run as the Blue Raiders moved in front 19-15. Becho added to the run with a solo block, and Lindsey Wilson later used another Bew kill to extend its advantage to 22-17. The Blue Raiders closed out the set 25-19 to complete the comeback from two sets down and force a decisive fifth frame.

Cumberland built a 9-3 advantage in the fifth set before Lindsey Wilson mounted another rally. Sandrone Tais and Natalie Wandrie recorded kills during a seven-point Blue Raider run, while Momo Hampton added a service ace and Tessa Kilchenmann and Sandrone Tais combined for a block that gave Lindsey Wilson a 10-9 lead. After Cumberland regained the advantage, Wandrie connected on another kill off a Hampton assist to tie the set at 12-12. The Phoenix responded with the final three points, however, to take the set 15-12 and secure the five-set victory.

Sandrone Tais led Lindsey Wilson with 12 kills, while Bew and Zuquelo added nine apiece. Janes recorded a team-high 19 assists, and Kennedy Moone led the Blue Raiders defensively with 17 digs. Hampton added 14 digs, six assists and three service aces, while Zuquelo contributed one service ace and three digs.

At the net, Becho recorded five blocks, including one solo block and four block assists. Lindsey Wilson finished with three solo blocks and 16 block assists as a team.

The Blue Raiders return to action against Cumberlands (Ky.) at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at home.