WISE - - UVa-Wise was outlasted by Notre Dame College on Saturday afternoon in a five-set heartbreaker. The Cavs were edged by the Falcons 3-2, (14-25, 25-12, 25-17, 19-25, 18-16) in a hard-fought match.
The Cavaliers (4-16, 1-5) started the match strong taking a 9-2 lead early in the first set over the Falcons (9-12, 2-5). UVa-Wise would extend the lead 19-12 before a Notre Dame timeout. The Cavs recorded 11 kills and 11 assists as UVa-Wise won the first set 25-14.
The Cavs started the second set slow as the Falcons took a commanding 13-1 lead. Notre Dame's Melissa Maczuzak provided strong support for the Falcons as she recorded seven kills and five digs in the set alongside a .429 attack percentage. Notre Dame would take the second set, 25-12.
Going into the third set, UVa-Wise was not able to regain momentum as the Cavs fell behind early, 10-5. The Falcons would go on a 5-0 run forcing the Cavs to take a timeout. Behind junior Ciara Kain's seven kills and .429 attack percentage, UVa-Wise managed to cut the lead, 16-12. The Cavs would not be able to complete the comeback as UVa-Wise fell to the Falcons in the third set, 25-17.
UVa-Wise and Notre Dame saw several lead changes to start the fourth set before the Cavaliers took a 15-11 advantage. The Cavs were able to get in a rhythm as they extended the lead 20-14. Registering 15 kills and a .324 attack percentage, UVa-Wise earned the victory in the fourth set, 25-19.
The Cavs continued to fight in the final set, taking an early 6-2 lead. The Falcons were able to cut the lead and get within one point, 12-11, as the Cavaliers took their first timeout of the set. UVa-Wise won two more points to take a 14-12 lead, but the Falcons were able to chip away as they tied the score, 14-14. Notre Dame ultimately won the set, 18-16, after a valiant effort by the Cavaliers.
Kain registered a double-double with 19 kills and 15 digs in the match. Junior Eustaica Smith added 16 kills while sophomore Morgan Milligan also recorded a double-double with 36 assists and 13 digs. Sophomore Briana Kerr posted the most digs for the Cavaliers with 28 as junior Kyra Jessee tallied 11 digs in the match.
The Falcons' Maczuzak recorded 33 kills and 20 digs and an attack percentage of .309 in the contest. Notre Dame's Natalie Spadaro posted 15 kills while Ali Kaegerlein led her team in digs with 25 in the Falcons' win.
UVa-Wise will have a non-conference matchup against Lees-McRae College next Tuesday, Oct. 17, with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m.
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