PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Pikeville volleyball team stuck close, but failed to win a set against No. 17 Georgetown in a 3-0 loss on Wednesday night at UPIKE Gym.

The Bears drop to 5-16 overall and 0-8 in Mid-South Conference play, while the Tigers improve to 13-2 and 8-2 in the league. Georgetown won the first two sets 25-18 before outlasting Pikeville 25-21 in a decisive third frame that was tied at 20-20.

UPIKE had led 9-8 in the first set and was tied at 10-10 in the second, but the hot starts just didn't stay aflame long enough to pull off the upset.

Georgetown led the match in blocks 8-3 and took advantage of an off serving night for the Bears as they hit 10 errors, compared to just four for the Tigers. On the attack, Georgetown had the higher hitting percentage at .269 to .105.

Noelani Simpson led the charge in the loss with 10 kills at a .269 clip, while Cecelia Ray stepped up with a season-high six kills as she was called on numerous times to avoid the Tiger blockers. Natalia Gascot was valiant in her defensive effort with 13 digs, just one off her season best.

Savanna Zakman dished out 23 assists and Amari Eadie had three blocks, but it just wasn't enough to get past a balanced Georgetown attack led by Jessica Tapp with 11 kills. Jenny Howell chipped in with eight kills and Kim Bailey and Caroline Ricks had seven each as Kassidy Rauh finished with a match-high 28 assists.

UP NEXT

The Bears stay at home on Thursday with No. 24 Campbellsville coming to town at 7 p.m. ET in UPIKE Gym.

-UPIKE-