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Alberto Chiaparini
Alberto Chiaparini
3
Winner Cumberland (Tenn.) CU 7-9, 4-4
0
Bluefield (Va.) BLUE 6-13, 3-7
Winner
Cumberland (Tenn.) CU
7-9, 4-4
3
Final
0
Bluefield (Va.) BLUE
6-13, 3-7
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Cumberland (Tenn.) CU 25 25 25 (3)
Bluefield (Va.) BLUE 23 19 19 (0)

Game Recap: Men's Volleyball |

The Phoenix rise over Rams

BLUEFIELD – Men's volleyball fell in three sets to Cumberland University in a Mid-South Conference match Thursday evening at the Dome Gymnasium.
The Rams held an early three-point lead before Cumberland tied at eight. BC moved ahead again by three at 13-10 only to see the Phoenix tie at 16. Cumberland took the lead 19-18 on a service ace and the Rams called time trailing 20-18. Down 23-18 the Rams scored three straight and CU used its first time out. BC rallied late but the Phoenix took the opening set 25-23.
The teams battled early with neither team holding more than a one-point lead until Cumberland went ahead 15-13. The Phoenix moved ahead by four and the Rams called time. Cumberland went on to win the second set 25-19.
BC led early before Cumberland pushed ahead. BC fell down by four but got back to within two on a kill by Alberto Chiaparini. Leonel Fernandez's block made it a one-point game. The Rams drew even at 15 but Cumberland reeled off four straight points to retake the lead. The visitors won the set 25-19 to take the match.
"I think we were in it and an older team, a more mature team, a very well-coached team seemed to pull away at the end. I felt like there were many a time when we had the tip, or the roll off, we had the ball that we wanted to defend but we could not execute when it counted. I felt like that was the big difference in the match, just doing some of those little things and executing those little things, whereas I thought they played opportunistic volleyball," said BC head coach Alfonso Alvarez.
Chiaparini tallied 15 kills and eight digs. Tony Martin had 31 assists and JoVeaun Banks three blocks.
For the first time this season, spectators were allowed at the men's match. Through a lottery system a limited number of students were able to attend the contest.
The final home matches of the season will be held Saturday. The Rams will play Carolina University at 11 a.m., and Thomas More University at 5 p.m. Carolina and Thomas Moore meet at 3:00. Senior Day ceremonies will take place prior to the 5:00 math with Thomas More.
Alvarez talked about the lone senior on the team.
"Alberto Chiaparini means everything," Alvarez said. "He's easily our MVP. He's a guy that commands a lot of attention wherever he goes on the floor. Even if his shoulder may be bothering him one day and he's not at full swing, everybody pays attention to him and they throw up a huge defense and a huge block against him. He's a great kid, we're going to miss him a lot. He has a special talent and he means the world to us."
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