MATCH FACTS - UPIKE at West Virginia Tech (Aug. 25, 7 p.m. ET)
Site: Neal Baisi Athletic Center, Montgomery, W. Va., (2,000)
Watch: Golden Bear YouTube
Series History: UPIKE leads 13-3 (since 2007)
Last Meeting: UPIKE 3, W. Va. Tech 0 (Sept. 27, 2014 at UPIKE Gym)
Next UPIKE Match: Aug. 28 vs. Reinhardt (Milligan Mountain Madness), 4 p.m. ET, Milligan, Tenn.
PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- University of Pikeville volleyball is ready to jump into the 2015 season with its opening match at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday at West Virginia Tech. The match can be seen live through the Golden Bear YouTube page, while a recap and stats will follow at UPIKEBears.com.
UPIKE has won three straight against West Virginia Tech, including a two-match sweep in 2014. The Golden Bears finished with a 7-28 overall record last season. The Bears fared better, finishing 15-20, including a 14-7 mark against non-conference competition.
While only having one senior on the roster in Haley Johnson, UPIKE still brings some experience on the court with juniors Sydney Hall and Rachel Murphy. Junior-college transfer Kaitlyn Welsh from Concord, Calif., also brings some instant experience on the attack.
Hall led the Bears last season with 282 kills (2.6 per set) and Murphy was a consistent performer on defense with 188 digs and eight blocks. Middle Cassidy Tackett, who saw limited action as a freshman, looks for an expanded role at the net in 2015.
