Lynchburg, Va. - Coach Kris Kern and the UPIKE Bears swept Monday's double header, first defeating Livingstone 3-0 then downing VU-Lynchburg 3-1.  

Game 1: UPIKE 3, Livingstone 0 

UPIKE defeated the Livingstone Blue Bears 25-16, 25-10, 25-13 en route to a 3-0 match victory in game one of Monday's double header.   

UPIKE had 15 serving aces, led by Kiara Warrens and Bella Blackburn who had five and four, respectively. Warrens also led UPIKE's defense with six digs. On the attacking end, Yaricel  

Rodriguez and Lanie Hawley had 12 kills each. Hawley was the team's leading scorer against the Blue Bears with 21 points.  

Game 2: UPIKE 3, VU-Lynchburg 1 

UPIKE improved to 3-0 on the year after posting a .938 attack percentage of the homestanding VU-Lynchburg Dragons.  

After falling 22-25 in the first set, the Bears roared back in the second. UPIKE took the second set 25-11, then followed it up with a 25-7 victory in the third. The Bears took care of business in the fourth, taking the set 25-13 and taking the match 3-1.  

Junior Yaricel Rodriguez had 16 kills to lead the Bears, including a 1.000 attacking percentage. The Bears combined for 19 service aces, led by freshman setter Bella Blackburn with seven.  

UPIKE volleyball, now 3-0 on the year, is off to its best start since the 2018 season. The Bears return home Thursday night for their first AAC match against the KCU Knights at 7 PM.  

#BearDown