Williamsburg, KY – The UC Volleyball team picked up their third straight win on Saturday over the Bears of University of Pikeville. The Patriots won in three sets by scores of 25-19, 25-10, and 25-18. With the win, Cumberlands improves to 10-8 overall and 3-4 in the MSC, Pikeville drops to 5-15 on the year and 0-6 in conference play.

The first set began with the Patriots taking a quick 7-1 lead and working their way to a seven point lead at 11-4. Pikeville closed the gap to 14-8, but UC worked to increase their lead to 17-10. The Bears managed to shorten the UC lead to 17-13. UC continued to extend the lead to 19-14, however Pikeville rallied for five straight points to even the score at 19-19. The Patriots then put up their own six point rally to take the first set 25-19.

In the second set, Cumberlands jumped ahead first 5-0 as Megan Willoughby earned two aces in the early rally. The Bears eventually mustered a fight, but UC continued to pound for a 10-4 lead. Pikeville took four straight points to shorten the Patriots' lead to 10-8. UC went on a three point run to extend their lead to 13-8, then the Bears scored a point make the UC lead 13-9. Cumberlands then went on an 11 point run for a 24-9 lead with Willoughby tallying four more aces in the set. Pikeville stole the next point, but UC stayed in control for the final point to win the second set 25-10.

The third set started with UC taking an early lead again at 5-1. The Bears managed to take the next point, but a four point rally put the Patriots ahead 9-2. Pikeville worked their way to shorten the UC lead to 12-7, but five straight points for UC put them up 17-7 with Tara Routliffe serving back-to-back aces in the rally. Pikeville then took the next nine of 11 points to shorten the Patriot lead to 19-16. However, UC continued to dominate with four straight points for a 23-16 lead. The Bears score two more points to shorten Cumberlands' lead at 23-18, but UC scored the final two points for the match and set win 25-18.

Jessica Severs earned a double-double in the match with a career-high 17 digs paired with 11 kills. Madeleine Lee tallied six kills for a career-high. Megan Willoughby chipped in a career-high six aces in the match while Tara Routliffe earned three and Megan Jackson had two. Routliffe also contributed 19 digs. Lynsey Short gathered 29 assists in the win. Mackenzie Koch notched two blocks (one assisted and one solo) while Severs, Lee, and Jackson each tallied an assisted block each.

The Patriots will return to the court on Tuesday, October 10, for a MSC matchup against the Phoenix of Cumberland University. First serve is set for 7 PM.

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