Pikeville, Ky. - The University of Pikeville Bears wrapped up the 2022 regular season today with a 3-0 loss to the Freed Hardeman Lions at the UPIKE Gym. 

UPIKE got off to a slow start in the first set and the Lions jumped out to a 12-2 lead. Leigh Johnson had a pair of kills later on, but the Bears were unable to bounce back from the slow start and lost the first set. 

The second set was neck-and-neck throughout, with each side trading runs of two and three points throughout. After a pair of FHU attacking errors midway through the second, the Bears found themselves up 15-9. The Lions then went on a 8-2 run to tie it at 17-17. UPIKE responded by scoring five of the next six behind an ace by Hannah Dempsey and kills by Alex Van Dyke, Daniela Hernandez and Cheyenne Martinez to go up 22-18. Daniela Hernandez would add one more kill but the Bears could not stave off the Lions comeback bid and lost the set 25-23. 

Daniela Hernandez recorded the first two points for the Bears in the third set to give UPIKE an early 2-1 lead. FHU then rattled off seven of the next nine points to go up 8-4. Despite trailing, the Bears got back in it by taking advantage of three FHU errors and a Leigh Johnson kill to cut the Lions lead to 9-8. The Lions then went on a run but the Bears were unable to come back, losing the set and the match. 

 Cheyenne Martinez led UPIKE in kills (9) and was second on the team in assists (9) and digs (9). Leigh Johnson finished with a team-high ten assists and tied with Daniela Hernandez for second on the team with four kills. Less than 24 hours after recording a career-high seven aces, Kiara Warrens added two more today to lead the team. Hannah Dempsey also recorded an ace in her final game at the UPIKE Gym. 

With today's loss, the Bears conclude the regular season. Next up for the Bears is the 2022 Mid-South Conference Tournament in Bowling Green, Ky. 

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