WISE, VA — The Cavaliers held the No. 24 ranked Wingate on the ropes in the third set, but fell in a final 3-0 (17-25, 13-25, 23-25) sweep on Friday night in the Prior Center.

A strong defensive performance from Molly Lambillotte and Shannan Kasprak of the Bulldogs (18-1, 9-0 SAC) held the Cavs (3-9, 0-8 SAC) under an eight-point spell in the end of the first set, as the Cavs found themselves at a 19-11 deficit. A tough block from the Morgan Blankenship and Cassidy Farley duo, along with a Wingate miscue and a Kaylee Scarce kill put the Cavs within six, but a game-deciding kill from Lambillotte finished the 25-17 win.

In the second set, The Bulldogs strolled through a four point lead with a kill and three Cavalier errors. Wingate never dropped the lead, as Lorna Stacherski and Emma Ahrens took control on offense. Although Cavalier Bailey Conner fought back with a few kills of her own, the Cavs fell by a score of 25-13.

The Cavs came out running in the third set, snagging an early lead from two Bulldog errors. UVA Wise found their largest lead when a ball handling error from Maddie Hoffman of Wingate put the Cavs up by five. Four consecutive points from the Bulldogs put them within one of the Cavaliers — and each squad went point by point until Wingate reached point 24. With the Cavs within one, a finalizing kill from Lambillotte gave the Bulldogs the tight 25-23 win.

Conner led the Cavs with eight kills on the night, while Farley stuffed two blocks. Lily Gutierrez led with 11 assists.

From Wingate — Lambillotte led with 10 kills, and Rayah Givens put up her own two blocks. Kasprak added 26 assists to the effort.
 

The Cavs are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 1 against the Coker Cobras in the Prior Center with first serve slated at 12:00 PM.

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