WISE – UVa-Wise volleyball fell in a tough battle against No. 23 Wingate University Friday evening, 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-20) inside the Prior Center.

UVa-Wise (1-13, 0-10 SAC) took the lead to open the match before Wingate came from behind to go ahead 17-11 as the Cavs called a timeout. The Bulldogs gave up just two more points as UVa-Wise dropped set one, 25-13.

Wingate (17-0, 10-0 SAC) trailed to start the second set as the two teams fought for the lead until the Bulldogs pulled ahead, 14-8. A 7-2 run for Wingate extended their advantage as the Cavs fell in set two, 25-15.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 7-3 advantage as the Cavs tried to cut the deficit in the third set. A kill by junior Brooke Abbott put UVa-Wise down by just three points, but the Bulldogs stormed ahead to a nearly double-digit lead, 20-11. The Cavs used a 6-2 run to get back in the fight, with a kill by redshirt senior Ciara Kain pulling UVa-Wise within four points, 21-17, as the Bulldogs called a timeout. UVa-Wise fell by just five points in the third, 25-20, as Wingate took the match in straight sets to remain undefeated.

Kain led the Cavs with eight kills and added 12 digs. Abbott posted six kills with a team-high .400 attack percentage. Senior Morgan Milligan recorded 15 assists for UVa-Wise while senior Briana Kerr tallied nine digs in the loss.

Head coach Kristen Salyer's team will return to the Prior Center tomorrow for a 2 p.m. match against Coker University.