Gaffney, South Carolina-Less than 24 hours after a tough 3-0 loss to Limestone to open the 2023 season, the EWU men's volleyball squad responded with a more concerted effort in their second contest of the year. Edward Waters was able to rebound with a 3-1 victory over Cumberland (TN) on Saturday in a neutral site matchup at the Timken Center.  The victory for the Tigers is also the first for head coach Lauren Ford as the new leader of the program.

The Tigers (1-1) can attribute their victory to playing a much cleaner contest as a whole than did Cumberland (0-1). Edward Waters darted out to a 1-0 match lead after winning their first set of the year 25-18 in set #1. The two teams played a tightly contested set #2 that saw the Phoenix rise to win it, 25-23 and square the match at a game apiece. From that point on, the Purple & Orange were able to dictate matters and rolled to victories in set #3 (25-20) and set #4 (25-22) to even their record and split both games of the Limestone tri-match.

The EWU offensive effort was more efficient on Saturday with the Tigers outhitting the Phoenix .269 to .167, racking up 46 kills to 42 for Cumberland, and notch six service aces as a team. Defensively, the Tigers were in control with 12 total blocks as a team to seven for Cumberland and a 37-32 advantage in digs.

Kaelen Ingram was the leader in the clubhouse for Edward Waters with his first double-double effort of the season with 16 kills and 10 digs, while Evens Edouard finished with 11 and Joelvi Jimenez chipped in with six kills and a match high five blocks. Newcomer Richard Hendricks also posted two service aces to the Tigers' offensive efforts on the afternoon. Kenyon Haynes was also able to dish out 37 assists during the match for the Purple & Orange.

Edward Waters will next hit the floor for their home opener on Thursday, February 9th at 5:00pm against Webber International at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex.

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