WISE, VA — A dominant performance ushered in the new era of Head Coach Alyssa Hanley for the UVA Wise volleyball program as the Cavaliers overwhelmed the Bluefield State Big Blue in three straight sets on Saturday, Aug. 27.

In the first game of new Head Coach Alyssa Hanley's tenure, her squad came out firing on all cylinders to win the non-conference match by scores of 25-19, 25-15, and 25-14.

Bluefield State's only attempt of pressure on the Cavs came in the third set, as Jordan Duncan and Kateryna Dashevska led the Big Blue in a 5-1 early run. The Cavaliers pushed back later in the set, forcing seven Bluefield attack errors and securing the final win by a score of 25-14.

The Cavs (1-0, 0-0 SAC) were led by sophomore Kaylee Scarce with a tremendous performance at the net registering 13 kills — a career-high. Complimenting Scarce was newcomer Lily Gutierrez who added in 14 assists on the day, and freshman Kinley Norris who recorded a double-double of 13 assists and 10 digs in her collegiate volleyball debut.

From Bluefield State, veteran Dashevska recorded a team-leading eight kills and nine digs, while Aydan Dalak led the day with 19 assists. 

This is the Cavs' ninth win all-time against the Big Blue, with Bluefield State securing their only win on Oct. 21, 2015 in a 3-0 shutout.

The win today marks the first season-opening win for the Cavs since 2019 (at Fayetteville State, 3-2) and the first home-opening win since 2018 (vs. Lees-McRae, 3-1).

Next up, in a unique scheduling twist, the Cavs will once again play Bluefield State in Athens, W.Va. on Thursday, September 1st in the opening match of the Concord Classic. Other matches on the docket will be matches against the Salem University Tigers on Thursday and a Friday contest versus host institution Concord University Mountain Lions.

Visit uvawisecavs.com for all Cavalier volleyball news, statistics, complete schedule, and more.