Infante, Corradini recognized as RSC Players of the Week

Cumberland men’s volleyball standouts Joao Infante and Francesco Corradini have been recognized by the River States Conference for their impressive performances last week, earning Attacker of the Week and Defender of the Week honors, respectively.

Infante, a junior outside hitter from Lisbon, Portugal, showcased his offensive firepower with 68 kills over five matches, averaging 3.58 kills per set while hitting .314. His standout performances included a 19-kill effort against Lawrence Tech, where he hit .351, and a 16-kill outing against Campbellsville, where he posted a .323 attack percentage. He also contributed defensively with 24 digs and six total blocks throughout the week.

On the season, Infante has totaled 287 kills, second-most in the NAIA. He is also second in the nation in points at 331.0. He is seventh in the NAIA in kills per set at 4.10. He is hitting .311 this season.

This is Infante’s fourth River States Conference Player of the Week honor. He has been named the Attacker of the Week three times and Defender of the Week once.

Corradini, a middle from Corridonia, Italy, was a force at the net, tallying 29 total blocks across five matches, averaging 1.53 blocks per set. He also chipped in 22 kills with a .283 attack percentage. His best performance came against Campbellsville, where he recorded eight kills while hitting .700 and added eight blocks to help Cumberland secure the win.

Corradini has had a big season at the net for Cumberland totaling 84 blocks this season, second-most in the NAIA. He is also second in assisted blocks with 75 and third in blocks per set at 1.31.

Corradini has earned River States Defender of the Week three times now and was selected as the NAIA Defender of the Week one time.

Infante and Corradini played key roles in Cumberland’s 3-2 week, helping the Phoenix pick up wins over Campbellsville, Life, and Judson. Cumberland’s two losses this week came via No. 8 Georgetown and No. 3 Lawrence Tech.

Cumberland will return to Mid-South Conference action on Saturday against St. Mary of the Woods on the road.

Phoenix clip Eagles in second four-set win of the day

Cumberland defended its home court for the fourth time last Saturday, taking on the Judson Eagles in the nightcap of the Phoenix Open at the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.

The Phoenix had to take on their fellow birds in a grudge match to insure they went positive as tournament hosts.The match was tied at several points in the early parts of the set, but CU quickly pulled out to a near double-digit lead, ultimately winning the set 25-16.

The Eagles started the second set off in better fashion, going down after the first couple points but rallying to get their first lead of the night. Cumberland responded quickly after the 5-4 deficit, going up 8-5.

That change of momentum seemed to work wonders for the Phoenix who corralled that shift into a 15-7 lead midway through the set, a lead that they carried through the end of the second set. The Phoenix went on three separate four point runs in the set, growing their lead up to 13 points as they took the second, 25-12.

With two sets in hand and 26 kills from a 55% attacking rate, the Phoenix looked as though they were set up for a three set sweep to cap off their tournament. Coming back on the court with other plans in mind, Judson took their best shots in the third set, going up 7-2 to force a CU timeout.

As the set wore on the Phoenix did lower their deficit time after time, but the Eagles had a response all the way to a 16-14 lead. Alexander Heuer served at 19-19 with the chance to give Cumberland their first lead since early in the set and the sophomore was able to do just that, but against Judson responded to win the next point and tie it all over again.

Neither team could find a way past each other late in the set, as things were all tied up still at 23-23, but a Judson service ace gave them set point. A Jacob Whyte kill gave CU another tie but the third set would be the Eagle’s, taking it 26-24.

Judson kept that momentum and battled their way out to a 18-12 lead while the Phoenix were left reeling. A block from Francesco Corradini and Chance Gallardo stopped the bleeding for Cumberland and they were able to fight their way back into the set.

That six point gap quickly closed down to three, and within five minutes CU found themselves ahead of the Eagles, 22-21. Alexander Heuer served the game out with a three point run, giving the Phoenix three wins out of four from their Phoenix Open.

Joao Infante and Jacob Whyte both had 15 kills as the Phoenix had a monster night at the net, hitting just under 40% as a unit.

Cumberland will have a short break now as the Phoenix don’t play again until Saturday, heading to West Terre Haute, Ind., to take on Saint Mary’s of the Woods.

CU opens third day of the Phoenix Classic with four-set win

Cumberlandsecured a four-set victory over Life University last Saturday to kick off the third day of the Phoenix Classic at Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena.

After dropping the first set 25-22, the Phoenix rebounded with three straight set wins, 25-18, 25-23, 25-15, to improve to 12-6 on the season.

Joao Infante led the Phoenix attack with 12 kills, while Jacob Whyte added 11. Infante also recorded three aces, tying for the match-high, while Francesco Corradini led the defensive front with five blocks. Setter Sam Mannebach orchestrated the offense with 40 assists, and Alexander Heuer and Mannebach each tallied five digs to anchor the back row.

The Phoenix got off to a slow start as Life took the first set. Life and Cumberland were even in attacking on the set as both teams recorded 14 kills and three errors. Tied at 11-11, the Running Eagles went on a 3-0 spurt on two attack errors by CU and an ace to create some separation. Cumberland closed the gap to a one point set at 22-21, but Life got back-to-back points and then ended the set on a service error by CU.

Cumberland dominated the second with a .429 hitting percentage while holding Life to just .033. The Phoenix got up early in the set at 5-2. Later up 7-5, Cumberland rattled off a huge 9-1 run to get up by double-figures to get the second set win 25-18. In the middle of this set the power went off in the gym causing a brief delay, but everything got going again quickly.

The third set remained tight, but the Phoenix found key points late to edge out the Running Eagles. Life started the set by going up 3-0. Cumberland rallied to tie it at 5-5 where it went back and forth all the way to 23-23. Cumberland finished off the set with back-to-back points to go up 2-1 in the match.

In the fourth, Cumberland took full control, limiting Life to a negative hitting percentage (-.217) while closing out the match in dominant fashion. Cumberland quickly got up 11-2 and never looked back taking the fourth 25-15.

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