MARS HILL, N.C. – In its second match in as many nights, UVA Wise volleyball lost in three sets to a SAC opponent. After losing at home to Tusculum Friday night, the Cavs had a short turnaround to face Mars Hill on the road Saturday night. 

UVA Wise would fall in three sets at the hands of the Lions, 25-14, 25-19 and 25-16. 

Despite Friday night's later-than-usual 7 p.m. and Saturday night's earlier-than-usual 5 p.m. start, the Cavs came out with surprising energy to start the match. 

Against a Mars Hill team that sits in the middle of the SAC standings, UVA Wise jumped out to an early lead and had the advantage in the momentum category.

Junior outside hitter Kaylee Scarce reached a milestone in the opening set with her 500th career kill. With 510 career kills and 627 career digs, Scarce is the newest member of the 500-600 club. She finished the night with 11 kills and 14 digs to lead the Cavs in both categories.

The first set was not kind to UVA Wise, however. The Cavs started out hot and held an early 11-9 lead. That was followed by a 6-0 scoring run for the Lions. Scarce would get another kill to halt the run and make it 15-12 in favor of Mars Hill. That kill was followed by another 5-0 run for the Lions. 

They would win the set 25-14, outscoring the Cavs 16-3 in the final 19 points to take the first frame. UVA Wise surrendered eight attacking errors and one service error to aid Mars Hill in its rally. 

Freshman outside hitter Brooke Hoffman had four kills in the opening effort for Mars Hill.  

The Lions kept their momentum into the second set and jumped on top of the Cavs early. A quick 4-0 lead was halted after a kill by Scarce. Still, Mars Hill couldn't stop scoring as they went on an 11-2 rally after UVA Wise's first point of the set. 

The Lions relied on the prowess of freshman middle hitter Skylar Ogden and junior outside hitter Jada Cannon who combined for eight kills in the set. 

UVA Wise made a comeback bid in the third set, leading 14-10. Then head coach Mike Smith called a timeout for Mars Hill. His words worked during the break as his team responded with another big run, putting up seven points in a row to take a 17-14 lead. 

The Cavs would never get the lead back as they were outscored 8-2 in the final 10 points. Mars Hill clinched the third set and sweep, 25-16.

With the loss, UVA Wise falls to 9-12 on the year and 2-11 in the SAC. Mars Hill improves to 12-8 overall and 6-7 in the conference. 

The Cavs get ready to face rival Emory & Henry Tuesday, Oct. 31 6 p.m. from the David J. Prior Convocation Center.