PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- It was a true back-and-forth affair that ultimately ended with Shawnee State topping the University of Pikeville volleyball team 3-2 on Saturday night.

SSU took the first set 25-18, then UPIKE returned the favor with a 25-18 win of its own. Shawnee would take a 2-1 lead after a 25-17 third set, but there was the Bears to even things up with a 25-14 win in the fourth. But the decisive fifth frame was controlled by SSU (6-8, 1-1 MSC) as it went on a 5-0 run to lead 8-2.

UPIKE (4-10, 0-2 MSC) never got any closer than five points the rest of the way, instead falling behind by as many as eight points at 12-4.

The teams were nearly even in hitting percentage as UPIKE finished at .160 and SSU turned in a .159 showing. In a match where the Bears had five more blocks and two extra kills, service errors killed their rhythm as they hit eight on the night.

Noelani Simpson was a force for UPIKE, hitting a match-high 19 kills at a .267 clip and Cassidy Tackett joined her in double figures with 12 kills at the same .267 hitting percentage. Savanna Zakman had 40 assists, Cassie Jones had six blocks and Brittany Reels found 16 digs.

Christina Shelton had 17 kills and Tyanna Smith chipped in with 10 to lead SSU.

UP NEXT

UPIKE heads to Rio Grande at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday in Rio Grande, Ohio.

-UPIKE-