DAYTON, Tenn. -- It was a tough first day at the Bryan Bash for the University of Pikeville volleyball team as it lost both matches, falling 3-1 to Asbury and 3-0 against Bethel on Friday.

With the losses, UPIKE falls to 1-3 on the season, while Asbury was playing its season opener and Bethel moved to an even 1-1.

Cassidy Tackett had more than double the kills as any other player against Asbury with 12 at a .310 clip, but as a team UPIKE hit just .145 compared to .308 for the Eagles. Savanna Zakman finished with 25 assists and nine digs.

Tackett again shined against Bethel with 10 kills and a block, but the team mark sank lower to .080 as the Wildcats hit a .227 clip. This time around Zakman had 16 assists and Brittany Reels collected 14 digs.

Asbury 3, UPIKE 1

Asbury let the Bears steal the third set 27-25, but won 25-19, 25-12 and 25-21 in the other three to tally the win. UPIKE never led in the opening frame, instead falling behind by as many as eight at 17-9. There were no leads to be had in the second set either as Lizzy Rimpel's kill gave Bethel a lead as high as 10 points in the set at 19-9.

UPIKE didn't gain a lead in its winning third set until a Wildcat error made it 18-17. From there the Bears tallied three straight points, including a kill from Cecelia Ray. Still, Bethel was able to grab a 25-24 lead late before UPIKE found three straight points again to win the frame.

An ace by Savanna Zakman got the Bears within two in the fourth set at 11-9, but Asbury rattled off four unanswered points and stayed comfortable ahead the rest of the way.

Bethel 3, UPIKE 0

Bethel handled the Bears 25-20, 25-16 and 25-14 behind eight kills each from Jessyca Watson and Daisy Liljenquist.

Brooke Burress and Katelyn Van Hooser handed out 15 assists as well as the potent Wildcat offense kept the UPIKE defense on its heels all night.

UPIKE was in striking distance at 22-20 in the opening set, but allowed Bethel to score three straight and never got itself back in the match. Bethel led by as many as nine at 20-11 in the second set and by 12 in the third at 17-5.

UP NEXT

Play in the Bryan Bash continues on Saturday as UPIKE takes on Southeastern (Fla.) at 10 a.m. ET, followed by host Bryan 4 p.m.

-UPIKE-