MONTREAT, N.C. -- It took five sets, but the University of Pikeville volleyball team secured a split of a Saturday tri-match with a 3-2 win over host Montreat. Earlier in the day, UPIKE dropped a 3-0 decision to St. Andrews (N.C.).

In the opening loss, UPIKE (11-15) was led by Connor Cook and Sydney Hall with 10 kills each, while Savanna Zakman dished out 30 assists and Rachel Murphy came up with 10 digs.

Cassidy Tackett did her best to slow down the St. Andrews' offense with three kills, but the Bears' .181 hitting percentage wasn't enough as they lost by set scores of 25-18, 25-16 and 25-23.

While UPIKE earned the win against Montreat, neither team put on a display to remember on the attack. In fact, Montreat was a little better, hitting .177 as a team compared to .135 for the Bears. Despite the low number, Hall went to work with 16 kills while also sending over three service aces.

Led by a career-high seven block performance from Tackett, the Bears finished the match with 14 total blocks and had five players in double figures for digs, led by Murphy and Zakman with 15 each. Zakman also matched her total from the first match with 30 assists.

It was a true back-and-forth battle to earn the win with set scores of 14-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-18 and 15-13. It's the first time this season UPIKE has come back to win from a 2-0 deficit.

Anyla Kryezlu paced the match with 19 kills for Montreat, followed by Emily Howard with 14. Abby Graham finished with a stellar 49 assists in the losing effort.

Up Next: at No. 5 Lindsey Wilson, 7:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 6, Columbia, Ky.

-UPIKE-