CENTERVILLE, Ohio -- UPIKE Volleyball got its 2018 season off on the right foot with a 3-0 sweep against Ohio Christian on Tuesday night (25-13, 25-17, 25-14).

This is the sixth time this decade and third time under head coach Obed Quiles that the Bears have started the season with a victory.

"It's always the best to start 1-0," Quiles said. "Now we are heading into the weekend with some tough competition, but there's no better way to start than 1-0."

The Bears were paced offensively by the trio of Noelani Simpson, Amanda Gooding, and Hunter Clewis who led the team with nine, eight, and seven kills, respectively.

Gooding was especially efficient, earning her eight kills on only 11 total attacks for a team-high .727 attack percentage.

"We did pretty good offensively," Quiles said. "We still need to pick up the pace but we did well with our opportunities. Amanda did an especially good job getting the ball down whenever she had a chance."

While the offense was clearly clicking, the Bears put out a solid performance on the defensive side as well, led by Cassie Jones' five blocks, including four solo blocks. The Bears outblocked the Trailblazers (0-1) as a team, 7-1.

Pikeville will come home for a couple days of preparation before heading to Bowling Green for the Crossover Challenge starting with a match at noon on Friday against Point University and at 6:00 p.m. that night against Martin Methodist.