No. 20 Patriots Stay Perfect with Two Sweeps at IU Kokomo Quad

The 20th-ranked Cumberlands Volleyball team kept rolling on Saturday, posting back-to-back sweeps at the IU Kokomo Quad to extend its unbeaten streak to 11-0. The Patriots opened the day with a statement win over Bryan, cruising 3-0 (25-8, 25-11, 25-12), before closing the morning with another commanding 3-0 sweep (25-13, 25-13, 25-13) against Siena Heights.

UC’s offense was on point all day long behind standout performances from Brynnley Bryant and Sara Zampedri, who combined for 44 kills and 29 digs across the two matches. Bryant finished with 25 kills, 18 digs, and two aces, while Zampedri added 19 kills, 11 digs, and 3 aces. They were complemented by the duo of Alana Shiery and Kara Gipson, who struck for 31 combined kills while hitting better than .400. Setter Savanah Jolly ran the offense with precision, totaling 79 assists on the day, while Davey Slaughter controlled the defensive end with 23 digs. As a team, UC racked up 92 kills, 20 service aces, and 12 blocks in six dominant sets.

Morning Match: Patriots Overpower Bryan

The Patriots exploded out of the gates, hitting a blistering .453 as a team to dismantle Bryan in straight sets.

Set One: UC established dominance immediately, racing to a 10-3 lead behind kills from Bryant and Shiery. The Patriots attacked at a .516 clip in the opening frame, with Bryant tallying 4 kills and Shiery adding 5 error-free swings. A string of aces from Autiana Wilson and Savanah Jolly stretched the lead, before UC finished off the set 25-8.
Set Two: Bryan showed some early fight, but UC quickly shut the door with efficient offense through the middle. Gipson hammered home three kills, while Zampedri led the back row with 7 digs in the frame. The Patriots also dominated from the service line, as Kendall Yarber delivered two aces and the defense held Bryan to a negative hitting percentage (-.032). UC pulled away for a 25-11 win.
Set Three: Momentum carried over into the third as Jolly distributed 13 assists to four different hitters. Freshmen Rayne Manning and Jayce Braden gave the Pats an added boost off the bench, combining for 7 kills. Cumberlands closed the match 25-12 for its fifth consecutive sweep.

Stat Leaders vs Bryan:

Bryant: 11 kills, 6 digs (.429 hitting)
Shiery: 10 kills, 0 errors (.714)
Gipson: 9 kills, 2 blocks (.667)
Zampedri: 9 kills, 11 digs
Jolly: 40 assists, 2 aces, 4 digs
Slaughter: 14 digs

Patriots Nation Player of the Game goes to Savannah Jolly

Afternoon Match: UC Cruises Past Siena Heights

UC’s second contest of the day was more of the same, as the Patriots controlled every set against Siena Heights while hitting .310 as a team.

Set One: Bryant set the tone early with 5 kills in the opening frame, while Slaughter delivered a timely ace to stretch the lead. A balanced attack kept Siena Heights guessing, with Zampedri and Gipson each contributing multiple kills as UC closed on a 6-1 run to take it 25-13.
Set Two: Jolly spread the ball around magnificently, recording 14 assists in the set as four Patriots tallied multiple kills. Bryant kept producing with 6 kills in the frame, while Zampedri and Yarber each dropped in service aces. Cumberlands rolled again 25-13.
Set Three: The Patriots flexed their depth in the final frame, as Gipson controlled the middle with 3 kills and 2 blocks, while Zampedri contributed 4 kills and an ace. The Saints never found momentum, hitting .000 for the match. Late aces from Ryann Livingston and Yarber sealed the deal as UC completed the sweep 25-13.

Stat Leaders vs Siena Heights:

Bryant: 14 kills, 12 digs (double-double)
Zampedri: 10 kills, 7 digs, 2 aces
Gipson: 7 kills, 3 blocks (.462 hitting)
Shiery: 5 kills, 2 blocks
Jolly: 36 assists, 9 digs, 3 kills
Slaughter: 9 digs, 2 aces

Patriots Nation Player of the Game goes to Brynnley Bryant.

What’s Next

Cumberlands returns home to the UC Volleyball Gym on Thursday, September 11, hosting Boyce College at 7 p.m. ET. The Patriots will look to extend their unbeaten start to 12-0 in front of their home crowd.