MILLIGAN, Tenn. -- It was a tough start to the Milligan Mountain Madness for the University of Pikeville volleyball team as it lost to Reinhardt (Ga.) 3-0 in the opener, followed by a hard-fought 3-1 loss to Purdue-Calumet (Ind.) in the nightcap on Friday.
Against Reinhardt, the Bears controlled the net with an 11-3 advantage in blocks, but the offense wasn't there, hitting just .083. Reinhardt, led by Mary Ruth Wheeler and Ally Hurd with seven kills each, hit a .211 percentage to overcome the blocking and register set wins of 25-22, 25-11 and 25-17.
Three of the four sets against Purdue-Calumet were decided by six points or less, including a 26-24 win for UPIKE in the second frame. Once again though, it was offensive woes that proved the difference as the Bears were outhit .202 to.098 while committing 26 errors.
Connor Cook was the standout on the attack for UPIKE, finishing with 11 kills against Purdue-Calumet and a team-best eight against Reinhardt. Cassidy Tackett impressed in the nightcap, tallying a career-best 10 kills to go along with two blocks and Sydney Hall tallied a .400 hitting percentage on her 11 kills.
Â
Bear Standout: Connor Cook (19 kills, 9 digs, 2 aces, .145 hitting percentage)
Visitor Standout: Gabrielle Martin (Purdue-Calumet) (12 kills, 11 digs, 2 blocks)
Match Notes:
·       Cassidy Tackett's previous best output was five kills last season against Georgetown. She rocketed past that mark against Purdue-Calumet with 10 kills at a .240 clip. She was third on the team with five kills against Reinhardt.
Up Next: vs. Milligan, 10 a.m. ET, vs. Freed-Hardeman, Noon ET, Saturday, Aug. 29, Milligan, Tenn.
Â
#GOBEARS
