PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory, the Midway University women's volleyball team kicked off the 2021 season on Saturday (Aug. 28) against Pikeville (Ky.) at Shelby Valley High School.

Jonea Rima's club got their season off to a strong start making quick work of the Bears en route to the 3-0 victory (25-15, 25-21, 25-20). It marks the first time since the 2011 season that the Blue and Gold have won their season opener.

With the win, Midway moves to 1-0 on the season, while Pikeville falls to 0-6 on the year.

The Eagles outhit the Bears holding a 43-29 advantage in kills as they recorded a .333 attacking clip compared to a .149 hitting clip by the home team. Midway also served 10 aces in the match whereas UPIKE served just three.

The Bears held a brief lead in the first set, but Midway took control on the heels of a 5-0 run which included two service aces and a kill from Alysha Tullar (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.). They held a consistent lead throughout and closed the set on a 6-0 run sealing the 25-14 win.

The second stanza saw the visitors hold a six-point edge, but UPIKE got within one at 18-17 following an 8-3 run. The Eagles, however, closed the set on a strong note getting three kills from Tullar to take a commanding 2-0 lead after winning the second set 25-21.

Midway jumped out to an early lead once again in the third set, but the Bears quickly erased a 5-1 deficit and turned it into a 13-11 lead. The Eagles regained the lead following a 3-0 run and never looked back winning the third set 25-20 clinching the 3-0 victory overall.

Leading the way offensively for the Eagles was Alysha Tullar. The senior recorded 12 kills in 22 swings for a .545 hitting clip, while she also added eight digs and a team-high three service aces.

Aubrey Koester (Apple Valley, Calif.) also added nine kills and hit .333, while Tori Richman (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Kaylee Criswell (Rockdale, Texas) chipped in seven and six kills, respectively.

Evelyn Milburn (Versailles, Ky.) and Valerie Ramos (San Juan, Puerto Rico) split time running Midway's offense as they finished with 20 and 16 assists, respectively. Mariana Rodriguez (Houston, Texas), meanwhile, led the charge defensively with 16 digs.

The Eagles will return to action on Tuesday (Sept. 1) when they travel to Wilmington, Ohio for a tri-match at Wilmington College. Midway takes on the University of Northwestern Ohio at 6 p.m. ET and Wilmington at 8 p.m. ET.

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