WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. -- UPIKE volleyball was just a few points away from its first conference win of the season, but how the Bears got there was even more incredible.

Pikeville came back from a two-set deficit in roaring fashion to force a decisive fifth set but eventually lost by the slimmest margin possible, 25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 16-25, 15-13.

Noelani Simpson had the best game yet of her career with a career-high 31 kills to pace the Bears offense. But the Bears' defense was just as strong, led by Cassie Jones' seven blocks. Simpson and Amanda Gooding each added three as well. Hunter Clewis had a double-double with 10 kills and 20 digs.

The first and second sets were much like how most of the season has gone for UPIKE: fall behind early, make a few small runs to scamper back, but eventually let the opponent pull away.

But everything began to click for the Bears in the third set. The two teams traded points early on before a 5-2 run for Pikeville gave it its first sizable lead of the match, but this time the Bears didn't squander it.

UC had a decent run towards the end of the set to get the Bears in its Achilles heel position of the season where it was forced to close out a set, but Pikeville stood tall to win the set.

That win, and the confidence boost that came with it, lit a fire under UPIKE, who dominated most of the fourth set. The Bears offense was clicking at a .371 attack percentage, among the highest in a single set this season, which held the Patriots on their heels. UC committed seven errors on just ten kills in the fourth set.

The fifth and final set was like a title fight where each fighter matched its opponent blow for blow. UPIKE and UC literally traded point for point all the way to 6-6 before a 5-1 run gave UPIKE a 11-7 lead.

After a Cumberlands timeout, the Patriots went on a 6-0 run to steal the lead which they wouldn't squander to win.

UP NEXT

The newly confident Bears will have one more chance at a conference win before the Mid-South tournament, a 5:00 p.m. Friday matchup with the Life Running Eagles in Marietta, Ga.

-UPIKE-