Rio Grande, Ohio - The University of Pikeville Bears traveled north for a match against Rio Grande and were defeated 3-0 by the Red Storm. 

Daniela Hernandez got the game started with a kill to give the Bears a 1-0 lead in the first set. From there, the teams traded points and midway through the first set the Bears trailed 12-10. Rio Grande then went on two 3-0 runs and UPIKE went on two 2-0 runs to stay within striking distance at 19-15. The Red Storm then went on a 5-0 run to go up 24-15. Cheyenne Martinez would record one last kill, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit and Rio Grande took the first set.

The Red Storm jumped out to an early 4-1 lead to open the second set but the Bears kept it close. Rio Grande went on a 3-0 run to go up 14-9 but the Bears countered by scoring four of the next five points to make it 15-13. Similar to the first set, however, the Red Storm went on a late scoring run to close out the second set and go up 2-0 in the match. 

UPIKE jumped out to an early 7-3 lead in the third set behind aces by Mikela Cook and Cheyenne Martinez. The Red Storm then went on a run and took a 12-11 lead. Midway through the third, Rio Grande went on a 6-0 run to go up 18-11. UPIKE could not rally and lost the match 3-0. 

Emily Short recorded a season-high five kills, trailing Cheyenne Martinez who had a game-high six kills. Martinez also led UPIKE with ten assists, followed by Leigh Johnson with nine. Johnson, along with senior Mikela Cook, recorded two aces. Cook also led the team with nine digs. 

Tonight's game at Rio Grande was the Bears' final road game of the regular season. This Friday, the Bears will recognize their senior class before taking on the Bethel Wildcats at UPIKE Gym. 

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