WISE – UVA Wise dropped its final home match of the campaign against the Railsplitters of Lincoln Memorial 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-19) Tuesday evening inside the David J. Prior Convocation Center.
LMU (3-5, 3-5 SAC) jumped out to a 12-4 lead early in the first set as UVA Wise (0-7, 0-7 SAC) called its first timeout. Back-to-back kills for junior Adison Minor put the Cavs within four, 15-9, later in the frame. A kill by senior Madelyn Lawrence, a LMU error, and a service ace for redshirt junior Makayla Ledford created a quick run for the Cavs, down 20-16 as the Railsplitters took a timeout. A late rally for the Cavs put LMU in front by just three, 22-19, but the final three points would be in favor of the Railsplitters to take a 25-20 set one win and lead the match 1-0.
UVA Wise trailed early in the second frame as LMU managed to take an 8-0 lead to start. The Cavs climbed back to trail by seven, but the Railsplitters pulled ahead by double-digits late and held on for the 25-13 set two win with the Cavs down 2-0 in the match.
With the Railsplitters leading, a block by freshman Cassidy Farley and Ledford put the Cavs behind by two, 7-5. Three consecutive kills for LMU forced a UVA Wise timeout with the Railsplitters in front 19-11 at the break. Trailing by as many as seven points, a series of LMU errors allowed the Cavs to get within four points late but it would not be enough as the Cavs fell 25-19 in the set as LMU earned the 3-0 match win.
LMU's Gabriela Abreu posted a match-high nine kills while Emily Walter notched a match-high 35 assists. The Railsplitters finished with five service errors and totaled 53 digs and three blocks.
Senior Madelyn Lawrence and Minor led the Cavs with five kills apiece while senior Brooke Abbott added four. Freshman Cassidy Farley also tallied four kills and registered a team-best .500 attack percentage. Freshman Rylee Waye notched a team-high 10 assists and added a service ace while fellow freshman Evynne Stafford recorded a team-leading 14 digs.
Head coach Kristen Salyer's squad will play their final match of the spring season Saturday at Limestone. First serve is set for 2 p.m. in Gaffney, South Carolina.
