COLUMBIA, S.C. - UPIKE volleyball was defeated 3-1 by Columbia International University Thursday night.  

Set 1: UPIKE 29, CIU 27 

Columbia International scored nine of the match's first 14 points, and held the lead for most of the set. Later, the Bears were trailing 23-19 but then went on a 6-1 run to go up 25-24. The Rams then went on a 3-1 run to go up 27-26. With the set on the line, Tylie Barton connected with Olivia Chapman for a set-tying kill. Barton then put the Bears up with an ace and then the Bears took set one after a bad set by CIU.  

Set 2: CIU 25, UPIKE 17 

UPIKE jumped out to an early 10-6 lead in the second set before the Rams stormed back and went on an 8-0 run. Later, the Bears went on a 3-0 run to cut the Rams lead to 19-16, but it was not enough. CIU responded with a 6-1 run to with the set 25-17 and level the match at 1-1.  

Set 3: CIU 25, UPIKE 10 

UPIKE fell behind early in set three after CIU took 12 of the first 16 points. The Bears were not able to climb out of the early deficit and the Rams took a 2-1 match lead. Cassidy Rivas accounted for three of the Bears' ten points in set four with three kills.  

Set 4: CIU 25, UPIKE 21 

The Rams picked up where they left off in the fourth set, scoring six of the first seven points. UPIKE battled back and took a 15-14 lead midway through the set after a block by Olivia Chapman. CIU responded with a 5-1 run to go up 19-16. The teams then took turns going on 2-0 runs until the Rams led 23-20 late. Laney Hawley recorded a kill to get the Bears within two, but the Rams scored the final two points of the set and took the match 3-1.  

Cassidy Rivas led the match with 20 kills, the most any UPIKE player has recorded in a match this season. Rivas also led the Bears with two blocks and tied Ashtyn Filkins with 18 digs. Tylie Barton led the Bears with 29 assists and three serving aces.  

UPIKE is 9-7 (4-4 AAC) following the loss to CIU. The Bears will take on the Columbia College Koalas Friday night at 6:30 p.m.  

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