Box Score
PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Behind Haley Esquivel and Rachel Murphy getting 14 and 13 kills, respectively, the University of Pikeville volleyball team won its first Mid-South Conference match since 2010 on Friday, topping Cumberlands (Ky.) 3-2 at UPIKE Gym.

It's also the first conference win for second-year head coach Shannon Gassman. Cumberlands (3-3, 0-3 MSC) had not lost to Pikeville since Oct. 23, 2007.

For the second straight match, UPIKE (5-5, 1-2 MSC) had to earn a win using all five sets. The Bears got the win with scores of 26-24, 19-25, 25-15, 16-25 and 15-10.


Audri Ray and Sydney Hall also got into the mix for the Bears with nine kills each, while setter Sydney Morris dished out a match-high 45 assists. Libero Dominique Melvin led the defense with 24 digs and Chelsea Staples finished with three blocks.

For Cumberlands, it was Jennifer Philpot leading the attack with 12 kills and Kelsey Eastham adding 11. Sydney Beck finished with 19 digs and Celine Du Tolt tallied a match-best five blocks.

Pikeville hit .181 for the match, compared to .228 for the Patriots, but the Bears did have five less service errors.

It's a short break for UPIKE as its back on the court at Noon ET on Saturday hosting Cumberland (Tenn.).