Pike Liberal Arts fell in straight sets to top-ranked Macon-East Montgomery Academy Tuesday afternoon in Troy.

The Lady Pats went down 25-10, 25-12 and 25-21. In the final set, Pike went toe-to-toe with the No. 1 ranked Knights before falling late.

PLAS assistant coach Craig Kennedy thinks the day can be used as a measuring stick by the team.

“Macon is a really good team,” Kennedy said. “They are extremely well coached and they always play hard. We just have to be more consistent in everything we do. They (Macon) play in a linear fashion, which means the ball is going down. We play in a parabola. We can’t play like that.”

Pike entered the match ranked No. 3 in the state in the latest Alabama Sports Writer’s Association poll.

“Today gives us a gauge,” Kennedy said. “We have some time left in the season. We told them that we have to consistently play like we did in the third set. If we are consistent, we are a very good team. We just have to be consistent.”

Following the loss, several Pike players were upset, and some had a tears in their eyes.

Kennedy said that is a good sign for the rest of the season.

“They took ownership of this loss,” said Kennedy. “It is good to see them upset, because they feel that they can beat the best. I know they can as well.”

Pike hosts Lee-Scott Academy on Thursday at 3:30 P.m.