Coming off another competitive season, UC Volleyball is poised for an exciting 2025 campaign. Last season, UC compiled its highest win percentage in program history with an overall record of 32-6 with a 9-3 mark in the conference.
The Pats also recorded their longest winning streak at 19 matches and had countless milestones throughout the season. Cumberlands also earned an at-large berth to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in program history.
“I think the biggest thing is the expectations have gone up… All the players and even the new players expect to be in that conference championship match. We built this schedule to be able to compete with the best teams in the country.” - Head Coach Kathryn Park
UC will enter the 2025 season receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Ratings for the first time since 2016.
Sara Zampedri returns for her junior season as one of the most dynamic offensive threats in the Mid-South Conference. The Italian outside hitter has compiled 945 career kills, averaging an impressive 3.59 kills per set, while adding 97 service aces to her name over the course of her time with the Patriots.
Zampedri’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of exceptional. She led the Mid-South Conference in both total kills (493) and kills per set (3.71), with her season total ranking fourth in program history. Her standout performance earned her NAIA Third Team All-American honors, MSC Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference recognition, and a spot on the AVCA All-Region team. She was also named MSC Attacker of the Week five times throughout the season.
Beyond her offensive firepower, Zampedri made an impact on both sides of the ball, recording 235 digs (1.77 per set), 24 blocks, and 38 service aces. Her versatility and leadership were on full display in the MSC Tournament semifinal, where she delivered a career-high 31 kills and 24 digs to lift UC over Campbellsville in a five-set thriller.
“Watching her grow over the last three years has been fun to see and fun to be apart of. We have very high expectations for her, and she will be the leader on the court especially offensively. - Coach Park
Kara Gipson enters her junior season as a consistent and impactful presence at the net for the Patriots. The Bowling Green, KY native has totaled 523 kills, 130 blocks, and 600 points across her first two seasons at Cumberlands, averaging 1.97 kills per set throughout her career.
During the 2024 season, Gipson appeared in all 38 matches and 135 sets, posting career highs in multiple categories. She recorded 266 kills (1.97 per set), 66 total blocks, and 40 digs, earning her a spot on the Mid-South Conference Second Team All-Conference list for the second year in a row. Her offensive efficiency and defensive awareness helped anchor UC’s front line throughout the season.
Gipson notched at least eight kills in 18 matches, highlighted by a season-best 18-kill performance in a five-set victory over Union. She closed out the regular season strong with four consecutive matches of nine kills and added 13 kills in a win over Southeastern. Defensively, she tallied multiple blocks in 17 contests, including five-block efforts on two occasions.
When asked about Kara, Coach Park expressed, “She has grown a lot over the years and will be a big part of our offense this season.”
Savanah Jolly returns for her junior season as a steady and versatile leader in the Patriots lineup. The Louisville, KY native has played in 67 matches over her career, totaling 783 assists, 473 digs, and averaging 3.26 assists and 1.97 digs per set.
In 2024, Jolly took on an expanded role at setter, appearing in 37 matches and 132 sets. She tallied 670 assists (5.08 per set), 141 digs (1.07 per set), and added 79 kills to her stat line. Her performance earned her Mid-South Conference Second Team All-Conference honors for the second consecutive season.
Jolly distributed the offense with precision, recording at least 20 assists in 16 matches, including a season-high 32 assists in a key win over William Carey. She added 31 assists and nine digs in UC’s semifinal victory over Campbellsville in the MSC Tournament. Defensively, Jolly posted double-digit digs in four matches, with a season-high 15 against Northwestern Ohio, while also showcasing her attacking skills with seven kills in a win over Union.
Her ability to contribute across all phases of the game continues to make her a valuable asset to the Patriots success.
“I know she is excited to take the reins fully and we are excited for her," Coach Park explained. "I think we are going to have a bit more flexibility on what we can run with her in control.”
Davey Slaughter enters her senior season as a steady defensive anchor for the Patriots. The Mount Juliet, TN native transferred to Cumberlands from Union University two years ago and looks to take on a bigger role in 2025 at the libero spot.
In 2024, Slaughter appeared in all 38 matches and 134 sets, recording 323 digs (2.41 per set), 45 service aces, and 30 assists. She tied for the team lead in aces and ranked third on the roster in total digs, showcasing her ability to impact matches both in serve-receive and at the service line.
Slaughter posted double-digit digs in 14 matches, including a season-high 23 digs in contests against Cumberland and Union Commonwealth. She added 16 digs in UC’s MSC Tournament semifinal win over Campbellsville. At the service line, she notched multiple aces in 14 matches, highlighted by a four-ace performance against Kentucky State. She also contributed two kills and three assists in a win over Freed-Hardeman.
With her consistency, court vision, and ability to spark momentum from the back row, Slaughter remains an essential piece of the Patriots’ defensive unit heading into her final season.
“Davey is going to big for us defensively and we have big expectations for her now in her second season as a Patriot," explains Coach Park.
Brynnley Bryant begins her sophomore season with the Patriots after transferring from Pace University, where she made an immediate impact as a freshman. The Wilmington, OH native appeared in 19 matches and 43 sets for the Setters in 2024, contributing 77 kills, 93 digs, eight blocks, and 13 assists.
Bryant showcased her versatility early in her collegiate career, producing multiple standout performances. She posted a season-high 13 kills and added 12 digs for a double-double against Southern Connecticut State. Earlier in the season, she notched another double-double with 10 kills and 16 digs versus Bridgeport. Her serving also proved effective, highlighted by a three-ace performance against Assumption.
With her all-around skill set, ability to produce in both the front and back row, and a year of collegiate experience under her belt, Bryant looks to be a valuable contributor for Cumberlands in her debut season with the program.
"Brynnley is going to be really big for us and we really expect her to take over the role of former Patriot Allyson Grava on the outside," commented Coach Park.
The Patriots are set to compete in 32 regular season contests, including 11 home matches and 12 Mid-South Conference (MSC) clashes, as they aim to build on the program's recent momentum.
"We built this year's schedule to challenge our team from the very first match and give us a clear picture of where we are as a program."
Cumberlands opens its season August 22-23 at the Onset Tournament in Fort Wayne, IN, facing (RV) Indiana Tech, WVU Tech, St. Francis (Ill.), and Bethel (Ind.). The Patriots make their home debut August 29-30 in the Cumberlands Invite against #17 Montana Tech, Carolina University, and Union (Ky.). UC stays on the road September 5-6 for the IU Kokomo Quad Tournament, meeting #8 IU Kokomo, IU East, Bryan (Tenn.), and Siena Heights (Mich.).
UC will remain on the tournament circuit the next weekend, traveling to Kokomo, IN, for the IU Kokomo Quad Tournament from September 5-6. There, the Patriots will meet IU Kokomo, IU East, Bryan (Tenn.), and Siena Heights (Mich.) in another key early test.
"We'll be tested early and often, which will prepare us for what is always a tough and competitive conference schedule."
The conference slate begins September 11 at home versus Boyce College, followed by road trips to Union (Sept. 13), Campbellsville (Sept. 16), and Midway (Sept. 18). The Patriots host rival (RV) Lindsey Wilson September 23 in a marquee MSC clash. Down the stretch, UC’s home slate features Bethel (Tenn.), Freed-Hardeman, Georgetown, Cumberland (Tenn.), and IU Southeast, while late-season road and neutral tests include #15 Aquinas, Northwestern Ohio, Grace Christian, Boyce College, and Kentucky State.
The regular season concludes with MSC road matches at Bethel (Nov. 7) and Freed-Hardeman (Nov. 8), with the MSC Tournament set for November 13-15 in Bowling Green, Ky.
"I'm proud of how hard this group is working and excited to get the season underway."
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