CLEVELAND, Ga. (October 27, 2023) – On Friday, the Truett McConnell University women's volleyball team hosted University of Pikeville for an Appalachian Athletic Conference match-up, where the Lady Bears battled through four sets, ultimately proving capable of securing the win, 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 27-29, 25-23). TMU rises to an overall record of 22-9, 14-4 AAC, while UPike falls to a record of 18-9, 10-9 AAC.
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
In the first set, UPike made the first move, but the Lady Bears quickly responded with a four-point rally featuring two kills apiece from Katie Williams and Elizabeth Franklin. TMU kept an early lead, when a five-point rally by the visiting team pushed UPike ahead. The Lady Bears did not lose heart, as a five-point rally by TMU was able to give the home team the win in set one, 25-21. The second set saw the Lady Bears first on the board with a three-point rally. The set remained evenly matched until kills by Ranavia Neal and Sonya Silecky gave TMU the advantage. A final kill by Leah Bowen and an error by UPike, ultimately confirmed TMU's win in set two, 25-20.
 
In the third set, UPike took an early lead, with TMU trailing not far behind. Eagar to decrease the gap, a service ace by Rachel Kessler paired with a kill by Neal was enough to put the Lady Bears up by one. Both teams went head-to-head, eager to prove capable of securing the set three win, when a final effort by the visiting team ultimately put UPike on top, 27-29. The final set saw UPike once again with an early lead. TMU fought back with kills by Williams and Silecky, when a final kill by Williams, proved the Lady Bears victorious as they took the final set, 25-23.
 
LEADERS
Williams led the way with 12 kills and one block assists. Silecky followed with eight kills, one block assist, and 12 digs, while Jordan Roberts recorded six kills, two solo blocks, and two block assists. Bowen and Neal recorded six kills apiece, while Franklin had two solo blocks and a block assists. Kessler recorded 14 digs on the evening. 
 
UP NEXT
TMU will be back in action on Saturday, October 28, as they host Milligan University for their final home match-up of the season. Match time set for 1:00 p.m.