PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The University of Pikeville women's volleyball team continued its dominant run through Appalachian Athletic Conference play Friday night, sweeping Truett McConnell University 3-0 at home to improve to 20-3 overall and 13-0 in conference action.
The Bears controlled the match from the opening sets, winning 25-14, 25-11 and 25-9 while hitting .529 as a team and limiting the Bears' visitors to a .110 hitting percentage.
UPIKE overcame an early 2-0 deficit in the opening set before taking control with a commanding run. After building a 7-4 lead, the Bears scored eight consecutive points to stretch the advantage to 15-5. Cassidy Rivas and Lanie Hawley helped fuel the surge with kills, while Chloie Brinton orchestrated the offense. UPIKE maintained its double-digit cushion throughout the remainder of the set, closing it out 25-14.
The Bears carried that momentum into the second set, opening with four straight points behind Rivas' attacking and two service aces from Brinton. UPIKE continued to apply pressure, extending its lead to 7-1 before adding another scoring stretch to move ahead 13-3. Strong front-row play helped the Bears maintain control, and UPIKE finished the set with four consecutive points, capped by an Olivia Chapman kill, to take a 25-11 victory.
UPIKE saved its most efficient offensive performance for the third set, hitting .643 with 19 kills and just one attack error. The Bears quickly established an 8-1 lead, using timely kills and a strong blocking effort to disrupt Truett McConnell's attack. The visitors briefly cut into the margin, but UPIKE responded and pulled away late. Hawley helped lead the closing run, recording a series of kills as the Bears scored seven of the final eight points to secure the sweep with a 25-9 win.
Rivas led the Bears with 17 kills on 25 attempts, hitting .640 while adding 18 points. Hawley contributed eight kills on 12 attempts for a .667 hitting percentage, along with two service aces and three total blocks.
Brinton directed the offense with 43 assists and added three service aces and nine digs. She also hit a career milestone of 2,000 assists at UPIKE. Chapman also recorded eight kills, two service aces and 11 points, while Allyah Tokelau added eight kills. JLynn Risner finished with six kills and three block assists, and Baylee Moore led the defensive effort with 12 digs.
As a team, UPIKE recorded 50 kills and just four attack errors across the three sets. The Bears also totaled 10 service aces and nine total blocks, showcasing their strength on both sides of the net.
UPIKE returns to the court Saturday, Oct. 17, hosting Montreat College at 11 a.m. inside UPIKE Gym.
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