ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. -- The Midway University volleyball team got their 2018 season underway on Friday when they took on Pikeville (Ky.) and Milligan (Tenn.) in Elizabethton, Tennessee to compete in the Milligan Mountain Madness.

The season didn't get off to the way the Eagles were hoping as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Pikeville in their opener before dropping a 3-0 decision to Milligan College in their nightcap.

Midway is back in action on Saturday when they take on Union (Ky.) at 1 p.m. ET and then Bryan (Tenn.) at 3 p.m. ET in their final game of the weekend.

Game 1: Pikeville 3, Midway 0

The Eagles (0-2) got off to a great start against Pikeville jumping out to a 1-0 lead after taking the first set 26-24. Unfortunately for Midway, the Bears (4-3) battled back to win the final three sets by scores of 25-23, 25-21, and 25-15 to win the match 3-1.

Neither team had a stellar offensive performance with UPIKE posting a .110 hitting clip, while Midway hit .068 for the match. The Eagles didn't help their cause with 16 service errors in the contest.

Freshman, Gracee Murphy (Paducah, Ky.) led the way offensively with 15 kills and a .087 hitting clip. Murphy just missed a double-double with nine digs to go with her 15 kills. Rose Leslie (Sand Springs, Okla.) and Courtney George (Louisville, Ky.) added seven kills apiece.

Senior setter, Ashley Sherrard (Louisville, Ky.) ran the show offensively with 30 assists as well as 15 digs for her first double-double of the season.

Freshman, Ashlee Simpson (Somerset, Ky.) led the way defensively with 17 digs. Fellow freshman, Taylor Whalen (Walton, Ky.) added 12 digs, while senior Hannah Payne (Louisville, Ky.) pitched in with 11 digs.

Game 2: Milligan 3, Midway 0

Unfortunately for the Eagles, they didn't have any better luck in the second game against Milligan. The Buffaloes (4-1) collected a .207 attacking percentage on their way to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-16) sweep of the Eagles.

Leading the offensive attack was the duo of Rose Leslie and Gracee Murphy. Leslie finished with 10 kills and a .188 hitting clip, while Murphy added nine kills. Murphy once against finished just short of a double-double with eight digs.

Ashley Sherrard ran the offense finishing with 27 assists, while Ashlee Simpson led the defense with 17 digs. Hannah Payne also added eight digs.

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