WISE – Cavalier volleyball dropped a five-set thriller to Mars Hill University Saturday evening inside the David J. Prior Convocation Center. The Cavs took an early 2-0 lead but the Lions managed to come from behind to take the final three sets and win the match, 3-2 (18-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-10).
Trailing to start, UVa-Wise (1-6, 0-5 SAC) used back-to-back kills by junior Brooke Abbott and sophomore Matelyn Gibson to give the Cavs a 6-5 advantage. Mars Hill regained the lead for a moment, but a 5-1 run pushed the Cavs ahead, 16-9. UVa-Wise maintained the lead through the rest of the set as the Cavs took the first, 25-18.
Mars Hill (5-3, 4-1 SAC) gained momentum heading into the second set as the Lions pulled ahead of the Cavs, 11-5 to force a timeout. A run for UVa-Wise tied the set at 13-13 before the Cavs managed to take the lead, 19-17, over Mars Hill. The Lions regained the advantage late, 20-19, but the Cavs came from behind to secure the 25-22 set two win.
The Lions jumped out to a 9-3 lead early in the third and would keep the advantage throughout most of the set. UVa-Wise pulled within three late before a kill by Kain put the Cavs down by just one point, 24-23. The Lions finished the set with a kill as Mars Hill trailed UVa-Wise, 2-1, at the end of the third.
Another quick start for Mars Hill put UVa-Wise down 7-1 to open the set. The Lions kept the lead as the Cavs attempted a late rally to come from behind, but Mars Hill would take the fourth set, 25-19.
UVa-Wise started the final set down early and were unable to bounce back from the deficit as Mars Hill gained the 15-10 fifth set win to take the match, 3-2.
Kain posted a double-double as she led her squad with 18 kills and 23 digs. Gibson added another double-double for UVa-Wise, posting 16 kills and 15 digs. Senior Morgan Milligan registered a team-high 25 digs in the match while junior Makayla Ledford dished out 51 assists for the Cavs.
Sophomore Abigail Byington finished with a team-best .400 hitting percentage alongside 13 kills. Junior Brooke Abbott followed with a .391 attack percentage and 12 kills for UVa-Wise.
Head Coach Kristen Salyer's team will be on the road next for a non-conference contest at Lees-McRae College Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
