LEBANON, Tenn -- The University of Pikeville volleyball team came up just short in the first two sets before Cumberland ended up putting things away in the third for a 3-0 win on Saturday. UPIKE lost just 25-22 and 25-20 in the first two frames before a 25-11 third set.

UPIKE was only out blocked 4-3 and had just three fewer aces, but it was a match that simply came down to success on the attack. Cumberland posted a .300 hitting percentage, while the Bears managed just a .114 mark.

Simpson tied for the match high with 10 kills and Cassie Jones chipped in with five at a .500 clip as she was good on 5 of 8 attacks with just one error. Savanna Zakman finished with 20 assists, Natalia Gascot had 16 digs and Jones added three blocks. Cecelia Ray also continued her strong serving with three aces.

Isidora Markovic matched Simpson to lead the Phoenix with 10 kills and Amanda Worrell led the defense with three blocks to lead in the winning effort.

UPIKE (5-18, 0-10 MSC) had a 20-18 lead in the first set on a service error by Cumberland (13-11, 4-6 MSC), but that spurred a 5-0 Phoenix run to turn the set in their favor. Cumberland ended up winning 25-22 on an attack error by Tackett after the Bears had fought back within one at 23-22.

The Bears never led in the second set, but were tied as late as 16-16 on a block from Jones and Ray. Again, Cumberland used a late run to take control, scoring three straight points to build a 19-16 lead. The Bears never got closer than two points the rest of the way as the Phoenix outscored them 4-1 down the stretch for the 25-20 win.

Simpson briefly gave UPIKE a 1-0 lead in the third set, but that's where the good results ended as Cumberland went on to a 15-8 lead after a quick 4-0 run. By the end of the frame, the Phoenix had their largest lead of the match of 14 points at 25-11.

UP NEXT

UPIKE hosts Shawnee State (Ohio) at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday at UPIKE Gym.

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