MONTGOMERY, West Virginia -- The WVU Tech (2-1) volleyball team dropped a 3-2 decision (27-25, 23-25, 25-23, 16-25, 9-15) Tuesday to the University of Pikeville (1-0) in the Baisi Athletic Center.

For the match, senior Michala Dean and junior Bailey Lotozo led the team on offense with 11 kills each while senior Keyonna Morrow rounded out the top three with nine kills. Dean also marked 15 digs, three assists, a block solo and a block assist. Lotozo had 13 digs to go with a service ace, a block solo and block assist.

Freshman Konstantina Pateli managed 29 assists while marking seven kills, 13 digs and serving up two aces. Freshman Riley Bocan brought her season total to five block solos with two against the Bears while also marking a block assist. Freshman Carolina Bologna produced six kills, a block solo and a block assist for the Gold and Blue.

Pateli (2.5) along with the WVU Tech (4.83) team are currently ranked No. 1 in the nation (NAIA DI) for service aces per game. The Athens, Greece native also holds the top spot in the nation for her 15 total service aces.

The Golden Bears return to action Saturday when they host Ohio Christian University and The Crown College for a tri-match in the Baisi Athletic Center. Tech is scheduled to begin action at 2 p.m.