The Union Pines volleyball team defeated Southern Lee in straight sets to win its second consecutive Cape Fear Valley Conference match Thursday.

The visiting Vikings swept the Lady Cavs 25-19, 25-23, 25-14, improving to 8-4 overall on the year and 3-2 in league play.

Junior captain Crystal Hicks had seven kills, six digs and four blocks on the night for Union Pines. Fellow captain Morgan Bridgers finished with 18 assists.

Vike junior libero Lexi Byrd led the team with 10 digs. Meanwhile, sophomore Brittany Erickson turned in a solid all-around effort with six service aces, four digs and three kills.

On Tuesday, Union Pines opened the week by capturing a critical four-set CFV league victory against Westover.

Hicks came up huge for Union Pines in that match as well, finishing with 10 kills and eight digs during the 25-16, 25-18, 15-25, 25-16 win at Cameron.

Another boost came in the form of a six-dig, two-block, four-kill outing from sophomore Tyler Ross, who returned to action Tuesday after a missing four matches with a shoulder injury.

Anna Sadler added six kills and Cassidy Walker had six digs, Tuesday for Union Pines. Byrd led the Vikings with 10 digs, while Bridgers finished with a match-high 17 assists.

Union Pines is back in action Wednesday at intra-county rival Pinecrest. The Patriots (12-3) earned a 3-0 sweep against the Vikings in their first meeting this year.