NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Talladega College women's volleyball team fell 3-1 (25-23, 20-25, 13-25, 19-25) to Cumberland University in its second match of the day this afternoon at Fisk University. The Tornadoes fall to 8-5 on the season while the Phoenix are now 14-8.

Cumberland grabbed an early 5-3 lead in the opening set but Talladega responded with a 3-0 run to go up, 6-5. Both teams went back and forth for most of the set, but the Tornadoes held the edge to lead, 18-17. The Phoenix scored the next three points to take a two-point lead, but that lead did not last long as Talladega closed out the set on a 7-3 run to win 25-23.

Going into set two, Cumberland opened things up with a 10-6 lead but later found themselves tied with the Tornadoes at 12. Both teams ended up tied six more times with the last one being at 18 when Franchesca Rivas tied things up off her kill. The Phoenix ended the set on a 7-2 run to win 25-20 and tie the match at one.

Tied at five in set three, Cumberland used a 7-1 run to take a 12-6 lead. Talladega attempted to chip away but the Phoenix's lead was too much to overcome as they claimed the set 25-13 and take a 2-1 in the match on the Tornadoes.

With Talladega looking to tie things up in set four, Cumberland had other plans as it took a 7-3 lead to start things off. The Tornadoes quickly used a 3-0 run to trail by one, but the Phoenix were able to push their lead to, 13-9.  Talladega answered with a 6-1 run to go in front 15-14, but Cumberland tallied the next two points to reclaim its lead. Both teams ended up tied at 17 but an 8-2 run by Cumberland closed the set and match out.

Rivas tallied 14 kills to pace Talladega while adding nine digs in the process in over four sets combined.  She was part of four block assists as well. Teammate Re'na Ashley finished with eight kills of her own and four digs.

Giovana Costarelli finished the match with a team-high 17 assists. She added three digs too. Fellow teammate Nuria Santos recorded 14 assists, seven digs, and an ace.

Both Stella Lukaszuk and Dyani Steward each had two of the team's five aces.

Briyith Echeverri led the team in digs with 13 while registering six assists.

Talladega is back home on Tuesday, Sept. 24 when it hosts HBCUAC opponent Stillman College at 6 p.m.