Portsmouth, Ohio – Shawnee State volleyball fell on Friday evening, losing to Cumberland (Tenn.) 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-15).

The Bears would trail early in the first set after two aces, but would rally to take an 8-6. Cumberland would immediately respond, scoring seven straight points to re-take the lead in the set. The Phoenix would hold on to the lead for the rest of the set, storming forward to win the set by 10 points.

The second set would be more even as Shawnee State would keep the set close. However, Cumberland would keep SSU at arm's length, fending off a late Bears rally to win the set 25-23. Set three would see an even first half of the game before Cumberland would run away with the set to again win 25-15, sealing a 3-0 match victory.

Christina Shelton (SR/Blue Creek, Ohio) had nine kills to lead SSU's attack. Deanna Smith (SR/Riverview, MI) had 22 assists, and Stacia Martin (SR/Indianapolis, Indiana) added a team-high 13 digs. Isidora Markovic led Cumberland with a match-high 13 kills.

The loss drops Shawnee State to 6-9, with the Bears falling to 1-2 in the Mid-South Conference. Cumberland improves to 10-6, and 1-1 in the league.