PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Facing an 6-0 deficit in the fifth set, Campbellsville did something it hadn't done in three previous Mid-South Conference matches — the Lady Tigers finished. The big swing in momentum allowed CU to outlast the UPIKE Bears 3-2, 25-21, 25-22, 21-25, 21-25 and 17-15.

"We were still very inconsistent but our effort and energy was much better.," said coach Amy Zink. "When we were down 0-6 in the fifth we just told the girls to find away. They found a good stride, stayed aggressive and pulled it out."
 

CU eventually tied the match at 13-all in the final set and used two services aces by Marcella Compeau with the score knotted at 15-15 to seal the win.

 

Annija Abolina had a big right hand for the Lady Tigers (4-7, 1-3 MSC), finishing with a match-high 19 kills.

 

All five sets were close, starting with the first as UPIKE (7-6, 0-4 MSC) took a 21-20 lead on a kill from Audri Ray. But when the UPIKE offense stalled the Tigers found five straight points with the help of three UPIKE errors.

 

The second set was similar with CU leading 21-20 after the Bears scored three straight points on two kills. CU ended up taking a 24-21 lead before sealing the set and 2-0 lead on a swing by senior transfer Jade Nelson to make it 25-22.

 

Tied 21-21 in the third set, the Bears found four straight points, all on Campbellsville errors, to get back in the match. Pikeville cruised in the fourth frame, taking a lead as big as seven points before sending the match to the fifth set with a 25-21 win.

 

Compeau finished with a match-best five aces as Campbellsville out-aced the Bears 10-8.

 

In addition to Abolina's 19 kills, Jana Kortas had 13 and Nelson 10. Brooklyn Bowling added eight. Krista Mihelsone had 41 assists and 10 digs in the match. Compeau also led CU in digs with 19 with Kortas adding 15.

 

Campbellsville's junior varsity suffered its first loss of ther season as Pikeville rallied from a set down to win 2-1, 25-21, 18-25 and 7-15.

Campbellsville stays on the road this weekend, playing in Bourbonnais, Ill. at the Holiday Inn Express Invite hosted by Olivet Nazarene University. The Lady Tigers play Friday, Sept. 19 against Ohio Valley College (3:00) and the University of St. Francis (7:00). On Saturday, Sept. 20. they play Trinity Christian (noon) and Olivet (6:00).

 

You can follow Lady Tiger Volleyball through Twitter @CvilleTigers and @CUTigerVball, on the web at www.campbellsvilletigers.com and on Facebook — Campbellsville Tigers.