PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Rachel Murphy finished with 26 kills in two matches, including 15 in a 3-2 win over Cincinnati Christian, as the University of Pikeville volleyball team beat both the Eagles and West Virginia Tech during a tri-match on Saturday afternoon at UPIKE Gym.
The Bears (9-8) took care of West Virginia Tech 3-0 for the second time this season, while Cincinnati Christian posted a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Golden Bears in the second match of the day. The wins snapped a six-match losing streak for UPIKE dating back to Sept. 9.
The Bears hit .224 as a team against Tech and .317 against Cincinnati Christian (6-9). Sydney Hall played a large role in the success against the Eagles, matching Murphy with 15 kills on 24 swings with just three errors for a .500 percentage.
West Virginia Tech (2-14) posted a .036 hitting percentage in its loss to UPIKE and the Eagles hit slightly batter at .148 against the Bears.
Much of Pikeville's success came on serve, but it was a double-edged sword as it also gave up just as many points on errors. The Bears had 12 aces in the first match and 14 in the second, but also tallied 14 and 16 errors, respectively. They made up the difference with defense, out blocking their opponents a combined 20-15 and finishing with an 85-74 dig advantage.
Chelsea Staples led the charge at the net against the Golden Bears with four blocks, while Hall matched her against the Eagles. Caitlynn Pfaadt was the dig leader in the first match with 10 and Murphy took the lead in the finale with 11.
Staples was a difference maker on offense as well, reaching double-figures kills in both matches at 13 and 11, respectively.
The Bears will try to use the momentum of two wins as they travel to No. 12 Lindsey Wilson at 7 p.m. ET on Monday in Columbia, Ky. Â Â
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