PORTSMOUTH – Volleyball was in control from the very start and did not drop a game Monday night inside Waller Gymnasium against Pikeville. SSU (7-2, 2-0) remained unbeaten in conference play as it downed Pikeville (2-4, 0-2 MSC) in three games (25-8, 25-13, 25-5). Shawnee State has now swept its opponent in straight games in four of its seven wins this season.

SSU controlled basically the entire match from start to finish. The team hit .444 for the match, while holding Pikeville to negative percentages in the first and third game, and just a .143 average in the second. Paige Zelich recorded a match-high 11 kills and finished with a .535 hitting percentage. Alex Pohl tallied eight kills and finishing with a .462 hitting mark. She also blocked one shot and assisted on another block.

In total, seven different Shawnee State players finished with hitting marks of over .400. Kristi Humble and Ashley Galbraith each killed four shots and did not make an error, while Kelsey Bielanow (six kills) and Tiffany Jackson (five kills) each committed just one error in their attacking attempts. Holly Tobias also added three kills and a dig to the winning effort.

The hosts recorded nine service aces, four solo blocks and three blocks that were assisted. Hannah Gephart (four aces), Madison Smith (three) and Zelich (two) each racked up aces in the match. Gephart also led the team in assists with 16, while Carly Mazza totaled 12 for the match. Kirsti Yates finished the match with 15 digs and received all 11 serves without committing an error. Smith and Pohl also added nine digs the winning side.

Tonight's match was the final home competition for the month of September. The Bears will now begin a streak of 10 straight matches away from Waller Gymnasium. The first two of the road streak will come this Saturday when the team travels to Pittsburgh, Pa. for a pair of matches against Midway College (1 p.m.) and the host Point Park College (3 p.m.).