ST. LOUIS –The Maryville men's volleyball team battled to its third straight victory with a five-set win over Cumberland University. Set scores were 25-19, 25-17, 19-25. 21-25, 15-11. Makai Scott led the Saints with 15 kills, while Makai Nzioki hit .308 and finished with 13 kills.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Saints posted a .321 hitting mark to take the opening set and followed up with a blazing .565 hitting percentage in the second set to put the Saints in position for a sweep. However, Cumberland had its best stretch of the night in the third and four sets to force a decisive fifth. The Phoenix took a 2-1 lead and still were up 4-3.
 
Scott hammered down a kill before Tristan Benbow followed for a 5-4 edge. Cumberland tied the score but the Saints received two straight kills from Benbow. The score was tied again at 7-7 until Jake Usher had a kill and Scott followed. The team traded points until 10-9. AJ Robateau drilled a kill right down the middle, and he teamed with Scott for a block. Cumberland scored a point before a Nzioki had a kill and the Phoenix committed a hitting error. The Saints led 14-11 before Scott finished off the match with a kill at 15-11. The Saints hit .667 with 12 kills on 18 swings without an error.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Kills: Makai Scott - 15
Hitting Percentage: AJ Robateau - .857
Assists: Jake Usher - 31
Service Aces: three players - 1
Digs: Zac Clark - 9
Blocks: Luke Martinez - 6
 
RECORDS
Maryville: 3-5
Cumberland: 2-4
 
What's Next?
The Saints continue their home stand Friday, Feb. 13, as Edward Waters University invades Moloney Arena for a 7 p.m. first serve.