GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- Eighth-ranked Georgetown limited the University of Pikeville volleyball team to a season-low -.082 hitting percentage on its way to a 3-0 win on Tuesday night.

The Tigers (24-4, 10-2 MSC) dominated play defensively, sending back 14 blocks compared to just five for UPIKE. Digs went there way as well at 50-38 and even service aces - the Bears' specialty - went to Georgetown, 6-1.

Ashlee Howe was a big reason for the lopsided scores as she tallied a match-best 12 kills at a .421 clip and posted a match-high eight blocks to lead the Tigers. Georgetown hit .289 as a team for the match as UPIKE's best showing was a -.032 in the opening frame.

With offensive numbers hard to come by, Sydney Hall stood out for the Bears (15-12, 2-8 MSC) with seven kills at a .214 percentage and finishing with a team-best four blocks. Rachel Murphy finished with a match-high 14 digs and Savanna Zakman dished out 16 assists.

UPIKE didn't get a lead until early in the third set, instead falling behind by as many as 13 points in the first set and letting the Tigers build an 8-1 lead in the second. UPIKE eventually got back within one at 11-10 in that frame, but was outscored 15-4 the rest of the way.

The first lead was 2-1 in the final set, but would only grow as large as two points as a kill from Cassidy Tackett came on the next point. From there, the Tigers went on a 4-0 run and never relinquished their advantage again.

UP NEXT

UPIKE stays on the road for more MSC play on Thursday, taking on Cumberlands at 7 p.m. ET in Williamsburg, Ky.

-UPIKE-