WISE, Va. – The University of Pikeville lost a tight battle with U.Va.-Wise on Tuesday night, falling 3-1.
 
After winning the opening set 25-23, the Bears lost 25-15, 25-17, 25-11.
 
Senior Brittany Hodge led the Bears with nine kills in the match, followed by sophomore Taylor Watkins with seven. Junior Stephanie Dounseroux, who had four kills, led the team with 12 assists in the contest. She also had three of UPike's six service aces, while sophomore Samantha Ayres added two.
 
Ayres and Dounseroux were solid on defense as well with each having eight digs for the Bears. Sophomore Taylor Bragg followed with six digs. Bragg had a solo block.
 
For Wise, Veronica Sanchez collected 43 assists while Allison Ring finished with 14 kills on 24 attempts.  Defensively, three players finished with double-digit kill totals as India Dillard, 14, Brittni Altmann, 13, and Lindsey Burke 12 thwarted UPike scoring opportunities.
 
Pikeville faces a busy weekend on the court. It hosts Asbury at 7 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, the Bears host a tri-match, playing WVU Tech at 11 a.m. and Johnson University at 3 p.m. The guests will play each other at 1 p.m.
 
-UPIKE-