GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Head Coach Kristen Salyer's team fell 3-0, (25-22, 25-16, 25-13), to the Tusculum Pioneers on the road Tuesday night.

Tusculum (3-4, 1-2 SAC) took an early lead to open the match, up 15-9 over the Cavaliers as UVa-Wise called timeout. UVa-Wise used a quick 4-0 run out of the break to get within three points, but the Pioneers maintained the lead. A late rally by the Cavs put them down by one, but Tusculum secured the final two points out of a timeout to win the first set, 25-22.

UVa-Wise (1-4, 0-3 SAC) came from behind after the Pioneers went ahead to start the second set, with a kill by redshirt senior Ciara Kain giving the Cavs a 7-5 advantage. Tusculum regained the lead and used a 10-2 run to go ahead 22-12 late, before winning the set, 25-16.

Several Tusculum errors put the Cavs on top of the Pioneers to open the third set, 7-6. Tusculum would later force a Cavalier timeout as the Pioneers extended their lead to 15-9. UVa-Wise failed to rally from behind as Tusculum took the match in straight sets with a 25-13 set three victory.

Sophomore Matelyn Gibson finished with a team-high six kills and a .222 attack percentage. Junior Madelyn Lawrence posted five kills while sophomore Kelsey Green and Kain each added four kills apiece. Junior Brooke Abbott registered a team-high .333 hitting percentage.

Junior Makayla Ledford recorded 16 assists while seniors Morgan Milligan and Briana Kerr tallied 15 and 12 digs each.

Volleyball returns to action Friday night for a 7 p.m. match against Lenoir-Rhyne University inside the Prior Center.