Grayson, Ky. - UPIKE volleyball extended their win streak to four after a 3-0 match victory over KCU Tuesday night.  

The two teams split the first 14 points in the first set before UPIKE went on a 5-2 run to go up 12-9. From there, the Bears went on a 6-3 run to go up by six before the Knights went on a run to tie it up at 21-21. With the scored tied, Lanie Hawley put UPIKE up two after a recording a kill and a service ace. The two teams traded the next three points with UPIKE ahead 24-23. With a slim lead and the set on the line, Cheyenne Martinez connected with Yaricel Rodriguez who recorded a kill and put the Bears up 1-0 in the match.  

After falling behind 9-6 in the second, UPIKE went to work. The Bears, led by some terrific plays by Daniela Hernandez, Lanie Hawley, Cheyenne Martinez, Bella Blackburn, proceeded to go on a 13-3 run to put the set away. The Knights did cut the lead to four, but a pair of aces by Lillian Carpenter and kills by Cheyenne Martinez and Yaricel Rodriguez shut the door on KCU's comeback bid. UPIKE took set two 25-16 and led the match 2-0.  

Just like set two, the Knights jumped out to a 9-6 lead early. UPIKE would tie it 11-11, only for the Knights to go on a 5-2 run. Trailing 16-13 midway through the third, the Bears got rolling. UPIKE went on an 8-2 run to go up 21-19, led by two kills each from Yaricel Rodriguez and Cheyenne Martinez. The Bears took control of the set and won the match 25-21 after a KCU attacking error.  

Yaricel Rodriguez led the UPIKE attack with 17 kills. Cheyenne Martinez led the way with 34 assists and now has 634 assists on the year. Lanie Hawley led the Bears with seven blocks, followed by Yaricel Rodriguez with three. Hawley also led the Bears with three aces.  

Tonight's victory over the Knights is the 17th win of the season, tying them for the most wins since 2016. Coach Kern's squad will return to action Saturday when the Bears take on Milligan University at the UPIKE Gym.  

#BearDown