PIKEVILLE, Ky -- UPIKE volleyball is still chasing its first win of the conference win of the season after dropping a tough match to Shawnee State that saw three sets go into extra points, 3-1 (27-25, 26-24, 18-25, 27-25).

Pikeville held a late lead in each set, but Shawnee State (10-9, 1-4 MSC) was able to find a way to come back in each of their set victories.

The first set was arguably the closest of the four sets as neither team held more than a three-point lead in the entire set or more than a two-point lead after it was tied at 16. Pikeville (9-14, 0-6 MSC) tied to match at 25, but then the Shawnee Bears were able reel off two points to claim the set. UPIKE's .233 attack percentage in the set was its highest of the match.

Both offenses came to a halt in the second set when Shawnee hit .133 to UPIKE's .032. Despite this, Pikeville went out to a huge early, as much as 20-13. That lead came in large part thanks to the California duo of Hunter Clewis and Noelani Simpson. Clewis had two kills, two blocks and three services aces in that time while Simpson had two kills and two blocks. Those two also led the team in kills with Simpson's 16 and Clewis' 12.

Many in UPIKE Gym thought they had felt the tides turn in set three, which UPIKE had control of early and never relinquished. UPIKE only had 10 kills in the set but took advantage of seven Shawnee errors and six service aces.

However, that momentum died hard in set four when UPIKE was one point away from tying the match at two sets a piece. But Shawnee then came out with two quick kills and a Pikeville service error to steal the game.

UP NEXT

After the cancellation of Montreat College's Invitational as the area recovers from Hurricane Florence, UPIKE will have a long break before facing Cumberlands (Ky.) at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 at UPIKE Gym.