ST. CATHARINE, Ky. -- Even with its best hitting performance of the season, the University of Pikeville volleyball team couldn't slow down St. Catharine, dropping the Mid-South Conference opener 3-0 on the road at Lourdes Hall on Tuesday.

UPIKE tallied a .202 hitting percentage, by far its best showing of 2015, but led by Rebecca Just's 13 kills, St. Catharine was simply better at .358. The consistent attack proved the difference as the rest of the numbers were nearly even.

Both teams had seven blocks while the Patriots led in aces 5-3 and digs 37-35. St. Catharine did get a solid performance from its setters as Jordan Strickland had 20 assists and Maja Krstonosic chipped in with 17. UPIKE's Savanna Zakman dished out 30, well under the 43 from the Patriot duo.

After losing the first two sets 25-13 and 25-17, UPIKE dug in for the third, forcing it to go past regulation at 26-24. The Bears were good on 15 of 32 swings with just four errors for a gaudy .344 hitting percentage, the highest of the match for either team.

Despite the strong closing effort and eight kills each from Sydney Hall and Connor Cook for the match, St. Catharine was able to win in three, improving its record to 8-3 on the season. Cassidy Tackett added seven kills for UPIKE (1-5, 0-1 MSC) and tied Hall for the match high with three blocks each.   

Bear Standout: Sydney Hall (8 kills, .263 pct., 3 blocks)

Visitor Standout: Rebecca Just (13 kills, .455 pct., 3 digs, 1 assist)

Match Notes:

·        UPIKE's .344 hitting percentage in the third set is its highest of the season.

·        Hall is leading the team, averaging just under three kills per set through six matches.

·        Hall ranks 16th in the NAIA with a .378 hitting percentage.

·        UPIKE ranks 40th in the nation with 42 total service aces.

Up Next: vs. Cumberland, 6 p.m. ET, Friday, Sept. 4 at UPIKE Gym in Pikeville, Ky.
 

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