PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- A loud and energetic home crowd nearly got the University of Pikeville volleyball team over the hump in the third set, but ultimately 24th-ranked Campbellsville was too good on Thursday night, registering a 3-0 win in UPIKE Gym.
The Bears (5-17, 0-9 MSC)Â had been tied as late as 14-14 in the first set and pushed the second set past regulation before a 27-25 loss. Finally, in what would be the final frame, it looked like UPIKE would get on the board with a 15-11 lead, but the Tigers (18-3, 7-2 MSC)Â went on a 7-0 run to regain the lead on their way to a 25-21 clinching win.
Before giving up its third-set lead, UPIKE had trailed 11-10, but Brooke Pickler took over on serve and rallied her team to five straight points, including an ace to make it 14-11 in favor of the Bears. A Kate Harris kill ended the run though as Campbellsville took back the momentum for good.
Without the services of leading attacker Noelani Simpson, UPIKE got a strong night from Amari Eadie who finished with seven kills on just 14 swings while also sending back a pair of solo blocks. Cecelia Ray, Savanna Zakman and Cassidy Tackett backed her up with five kills each.
UPIKE tallied a respectable .205 hitting percentage, but Campbellsville was simply better at .427 as Annija Abolina led it with 15 kills and Maria Coelho was close behind with 13. The Tigers also outblocked the Bears 11-5 and got a match-best 22 digs from Marcella Compeau.
Pickler and Zakman handed out 11 assists each for the Bears and three different players finished with six dogs each. UPIKE also finished with more aces than errors at 11-7 as Ray and Zakman hit three aces each.
UP NEXT
The Bears head to Lindsey Wilson at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 20 in Columbia, Ky.
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