The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Patriots Volleyball program is on the move in the right direction as Head Coach Kara Clemenz and staff have UC in a dominate form right now.  The Patriots had a perfect week winning three matches all by scores of 3-0, earning their 5th straight match victory and moving the Patriots to 5-2 on the season when Mid-South Conference (MSC) play will kick into high gear in the coming weeks.

On Tuesday September 4th, the Patriot ladies traveled to Frankfort, KY to take on Kentucky State University. The Patriots swept the first three games quickly to win the match by scores of 25-10, 25-18, 25-14.  Juniors Kelsey Eastham (Urbana, OH) & Megan Schulte (Beavercreek, OH) both led the team with 7 kills in the match.  Senior libero Kelsey Dew (Clinton, TN) came up big defensively with 18 digs.  Junior Abby Dundon (Lexington, KY) and freshman Samantha Stuckwisch (Seymour, IN) contributed highly to the offense with 26 total assists between the two. 

On Thursday September 6th, the Patriots hosted the Cumberland University Bulldogs in a MSC match.  Once again, the Patriots won in quick fashion as UC tamed the Bulldogs in three games by scores of 25-23, 25-15, 25-19.  Junior Cassie Kalman (Beavercreek, OH) led the Patriots with 9 kills on the front line.  Senior Chelsea Hendrix (Seymour, IN) led the team on defense with 9 digs on the night.  Dundon & Stuckweish both added 14 assists each for the Patriots. 

Finishing up the week at home on Saturday September 8th, the Patriots took on the Midway College Eagles.  UC worked hard early and made a statement in this match as they took down the Eagles in three straight games by scores of 25-20, 25-18, 25-16.  Cassie Kalman led the way for the Patriots offense with 8 kills in the match.  Kelsey Dew once again had a big defensive presence with 15 digs on the night.  Sophomore Stacey Sebald (Cincinnati, OH) added 4 service aces in the match. 

Coach Clemenz commented, "This was a great week for us. Among our 3 wins were victories over an NCAA Division II team and over our first MSC opponent of the year.  Every goal the team set for each match was met which is a big step for us.  We are off to a great start and on our way to meeting our season goals.  This is evident in the passion and confidence the girls exhibited in their play this week.  There are more great things to come from UC Volleyball!"

The Patriots Volleyball team will be back in action again on September 11, 2012 at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, KY.  Their next home match will be September 18th as they take on another MSC rival, the Georgetown College Tigers. 

For more information on the Patriots Volleyball team or other Patriots sports please go to www.cumberlandsathletics.com.

_{Article provided by Alyssa Burke, UC Multimedia and Athletic Services Graduate Assistant}