Pikeville, Ky. - The University of Pikeville Bears were defeated 3-0 by the Cumberland (Tenn.) Phoenix Friday afternoon at the UPIKE Gym. 

The Bears struck first in the first set when Daniela Hernandez combined with Alex Van Dyke for a block. The Phoenix scored the next two points then Alex Van Dyke tied the score at two each with a kill. The two squads then traded the next two points then the Phoenix went on an 8-0 run to go up 11-3. UPIKE was unable to put any scoring runs together to get back into it and dropped the first set. 

Cumberland came out in the second set and scored nine of the first ten points. UPIKE was unable to overcome the slow start to the set and fell behind 2-0 in the match. Freshman Jada Slone and junior Daniela Hernandez recorded two kills each in the second set. 

In the third set, the Bears scored first after a Cumberland attacking error. However, UPIKE's lead did not last long as the Phoenix went on a 12-0 run. Trailing by a wide margin, the Bears showed some fight and scored five of the next seven points. Behind a pair of kills by senior Leigh Johnson, the Bears cut into the lead to 14-6. Cumberland responded with three straight points, followed by an impressive kill by UPIKE's Oksana Vucetic. UPIKE would not score again in this set, and the Phoenix took the match 3-0. 

UPIKE was led in kills by Oksana Vucetic and Leigh Johnson with four kills each. Alex Van Dyke led the Bears with two blocks, her first multiple-block game of the season. Senior Mikela Cook led the Bears defense with eight digs, followed by Kiara Warrens with four and Cheyenne Martinez with three. Martinez also led UPIKE with eleven assists today.   

The Bears will pick it back up tomorrow at noon against the University of Tennessee-Southern Firehawks for their second game during UPIKE Homecoming Week 2022. 

#BearNation