PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Sending back 13 blocks and nearly hitting .400 as a team, No. 9 Lindsey Wilson was hard to beat on Thursday as it shut out the University of Pikeville volleyball team 3-0 at the UPIKE Gym.
Connor Cook finished with nine kills on just 15 swings for UPIKE, helping the Bears get within 24-23 in the third set, but ultimately Nadelina Nasheva put away one of her match-leading 11 kills to seal it for the Blue Raiders and improve their record to 21-2 overall and a perfect 8-0 in the Mid-South Conference.
The Bears (12-11, 0-8 MSC) struggled early as Lindsey Wilson hit gaudy .625 and .450 team hitting percentages in the first two sets to win 25-12 and 25-14. UPIKE never led in the first set, but enjoyed a 4-3 lead in the second before the Blue Raiders went on a 7-0 run with Kirsten King on serve for six of the points. From there LWC built a lead as large as 11 points on the final play of the set.
After two straight aces from Chelsea Staples, the Bears held a 6-5 lead in the third set. But it would be their last as the Blue Raiders took over at 7-6 on a kill from Catie Cline. Trailing 24-18 late in the frame, UPIKE went on a 5-0 run with Audri Ray confusing the defense on serve, but Nesheva finally ended the rally off the set from Brianna Bartlett.
Sarah Shilling backed up Nesheva with six kills and Yennifer Ramirez sent down five, while Bartlett paced the Blue Raiders with 17 assists. Caitlyn Tino's eight digs, Cline's five blocks and Sarah Anderson's three aces also led Lindsey Wilson.
While Cook was the only consistent offensive weapon for UPIKE, Staples and Haley Esquivel chipped in with five kills each as leading attacker Sydney Hall was limited to just three kills on 11 swings with three errors. Sydney Morris handed out 20 assists, Caitlynn Pfaadt found nine digs and Staples tallied three blocks and a pair of aces.
UPIKE will be back on the court in a hurry as its next chance for an MSC win comes against Cumberland (Tenn.) at Noon ET on Saturday at UPIKE Gym.
