Cumberland took the opener with an eight-point cushion Wednesday at East Providence. By the fourth set, the margin was down to two—and the Townies had turned the match their way.
The Clippers opened with a 25–17 win before East Providence answered with victories of 25–21, 25–22 and 25–23 to claim the match, 3–1. Darryl Ashilaka delivered 20 kills, but Cumberland could not add the second set victory it needed to keep the night going.
Four points. Three points. Two points.
Those were the margins in the sets that went to East Providence. Add up the entire evening, and the Townies held just a 92–91 advantage in total points. Cumberland’s comfortable opener accounted for much of that balance; East Providence earned the match by coming out on top in the three tighter finishes.
Ashilaka gave the Clippers production in more than one part of the court. Along with her 20 kills, she recorded five aces and nine digs, according to the posted MaxPreps statistics. The finishing power came with points from the service line and defensive work to give Cumberland another chance at the ball.
Lyla Parmentier supplied 30 assists, doing the setup work behind Cumberland’s attack. Bowie Legend added eight kills, giving the Clippers another hitter who could put the ball away.
Lacey Dessert contributed three aces and nine digs, pairing pressure on serve with recoveries in the backcourt. Dessert and Ashilaka combined for eight aces and 18 digs—work that belongs alongside the kills when accounting for how Cumberland kept points coming and rallies alive.
Two nights earlier, the Clippers had finished off the close sets in a home sweep of Lincoln. Wednesday, East Providence claimed those endings. Cumberland’s opening set showed what it could produce; the next three showed how little separated the teams when the sets were settled.
The Clippers now turn toward Friday’s trip to North Kingstown, scheduled for October 30 at 6:30 p.m. A quick turnaround brings another opportunity to pair a strong start with the finishes needed to bring a road win home.
Set scores and individual statistics: MaxPreps box score.