WISE, VA — UVA Wise squeezed out a 25-23 first-set win, but faltered in the next three sets as Catawba defeated the Cavs 3-1 (25-23, 19-25, 14-25, 18-25) in the David J. Prior Convocation center this evening.

The Cavaliers (4-13, 1-12 SAC) held Catawba (5-14, 3-9 SAC) on a short leash in the first set as each squad nearly went point-by-point. In the set's final moments, a silencing kill from Bailey Conner, a block from Cassidy Farley and a Catawba service error claimed a Cavalier victory by a score of 25-23.

In the second set, UVA Wise held a consistent lead until Catawba's Ashley Johnson kill sparked a seven-point run that the Cavs were unable to hold off. Catawba held the Cavs to a 25-19 defeat.

The third set saw the Cavaliers get the early lead once again, but was crept up on by Catawba's Hayes Smith on the attack — holding the Cavs to 14 points.

In the fourth, Catawba kept an early lead with a .265 hitting percentage. Smith, who recorded a game-high 17 kills on the night, recorded six alone in the final set. Although Farley held off further Catawba damage with a total five blocks on the night, UVA Wise fell by a score of 25-18.

For the Cavs, Conner recorded 10 kills, Lily Gutierrez put up 12 assists, and Kamryn Livingston added 18 digs.

Johnson of Catawba added eight blocks of her own while Dara Kane added 39 total assists.

Up next, the Cavaliers play non-conference opponent Bluefield State in West Virginia on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 6:00 PM.

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