Lebanon, TN – UPIKE volleyball dropped in three sets to the Phoenix on Thursday evening, wrapping up a busy stretch that featured back-to-back conference road games. The Bears trekked to Columbia on Wednesday night for a match with perennial contender Lindsey Wilson where the Bears compiled an improved attacking effort but dropped 0-3.

Wednesday night's bout against the 15^th ranked Blue Raiders resulted in a 0-3 loss but with several highlights for a UPIKE team that has been without several key pieces thus far. Despite being outsized with two font-line hitters out, the Bears recorded their highest number of kills against a conference opponent this season with 23.
Serbian freshman Oksana Vucetic record a team-high six kills, followed by Yeryvel Catala who notched five. Megan Frazier has been a consistent source of production for the Bears this season, she totaled four kills, four digs.

Set one was closely played as the Bears remained within a point until Lindsey went ahead 7-5. UPIKE repeated a strong open in the second, opening with an ace from Haylee Meade going on to tie the game at 4-4, 6-6, and 7-7. Frazier and Catala battled against a solid attack from the Blue Raiders, keeping the Bears within a pair of points up until a Lindsey Wilson kill made it 14-11. UPIKE fell behind early in the final set, falling victim to a Blue Raiders team who caught a wave of momentum and rocketed to a 15-3 lead.

The Bears had 30 digs in what was one of their best defensive efforts of the season but struggled to get on top of the ball against the Phoenix. UPIKE dropped in three sets by scores of 25-16, 25-18, and 25-11 and tallied their lowest hitting percentage of the season.

Oksana Vucetic recorded a season-high with a pair of aces in the contest, striking three kills as well. Yeryvel Catala and Megan Frazier both tacked on a trio of kills. Sarah Clark and Mikela Cook fought for eight digs apiece to lead the defensive effort.

Set one saw a back-and-forth affair in which UPIKE trailed by a small margin for a majority of the contest until Cumberland when on a 6-3 run at the midway point. Meade opened the second set with two straight aces as the Bears picked up some momentum. After a series of attack errors from the Phoenix, UPIKE had gone up to a 10-4 lead. The Phoenix fought back to within two until Brittany Reels delivered an ace to make it 10-5 Bears. Cumberland made an impressive comeback to seize the lead, forming when they tied the contest at 11.

The Bears have a six day break before returning to action against Shawnee State in Portsmouth on Thursday, March 11^th.