MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn.- - UVa-Wise volleyball dropped its season opener to Milligan on the road, 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22), Tuesday evening.

Sophomores Madelyn Lawrence and Brooke Abbott, and senior Ciara Kain led the Cavs (0-1) with 12 kills each while sophomore setter Makayla Ledford tallied 39 assists in the match.

Milligan (3-0) jumped out to an early lead in the first set with a service ace by the Buffs giving them a 7-3 lead to start. A kill by Lawrence would put the Cavs down just two points, 14-12, in the first. The Buffs would continue to extend their lead before taking the first set, 25-17.

Back-to-back attack errors by Milligan early in the second set put the Cavs up 8-4. The Buffs tried to keep it close but UVa-Wise's momentum allowed the Cavs to take a 20-16 advantage. Milligan would tie the set 23-23 late in the second set but the Cavs rallied to earn a 25-23 win in set two.

After starting from behind in the third, the Cavs tied the set at 19-19 behind back-to-back points by Abbott. UVa-Wise's freshman Matelyn Gibson put the Cavs ahead as she scored off an assist by Ledford for a 20-19 lead. Milligan would respond with a four-point run before winning the set, 25-21.

The Cavs were off to a hot start in the fourth set as they took a 10-6 advantage early in an attempt to tie the match. The Buffs managed to come back and take the lead as UVa-Wise continued to battle, down by two, 23-21, following a Ledford score. UVa-Wise ultimately dropped a close fourth set, 25-22, as the Cavs fell to Milligan 3-1.

UVa-Wise finished the match with 48 kills and 45 assists while Milligan posted 61 kills and 58 assists on the night.

The Cavs will return to action this weekend as they compete in the Fleet Classic Volleyball Tournament at Erskine College.