ELKINS, W.Va. - - UVa-Wise split a pair of matches on day one of the Davis and Elkins Invitational. In the opener, the Cavaliers used a match-high 15 kills from Lindsey Tucker and a combined 40 assists from Ashley Hooven and Veronica Sanchez to defeat Bluefield State 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-17, 25-19). In the finale, UVa-Wise dropped a 3-0 (25-17, 28-26, 25-18) decision to Slippery Rock University.

In its opening match, the Cavs (2-2) broke a 6-6 tie in the first set with seven straight points while Tucker was serving. During the run, Kelsey Smith had two kills while Tucker added a kill and an ace.  The Blues would stop the stretch with a point to make it 13-7 but, it would be too late as the Cavs posted a 25-15 victory.

Set two saw Bluefield State take an early 7-4 lead only to see UVa-Wise battle back and take a 23-21 late in the set. The Blues however, would have the last run of the set as attack errors by the Cavs allowed Bluefield State to tie the match at 1-1.

Similar to the opening set, UVa-Wise broke open a close set to coast to victory. Leading 13-12, the Cavs would finish the set on a 12-5 run that was capped by a Tucker kill of a Sanchez set to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

UVa-Wise delivered the knockout blow in the fourth set behind Karley Allen's three kills and four digs in the set.  The Cavs had just a two point lead at 16-14 in the set before a 6-2 run gave UVa-Wise some breathing room.  Sanchez put an exclamation point on the victory by delivering an ace for the final point of the match.

Hooven led all players with 24 assists and Allen added 12 kills and 15 digs in the victory.

The finale saw Slippery Rock 14 kills from Kristy Lake and 13 kills from Leah Jones as the team claimed the 3-0 win. Allen led the Cavs with a match-high 16 kills.

UVa-Wise will be back in action tomorrow as the team finishes the Davis and Elkins Invitational. Coach Salyer's club will open the day at 10 am with a match against host Davis and Elkins before wrapping up the event at noon against Seton Hill University.