WISE – The UVA Wise volleyball team took a break from the conference schedule to face Southern Wesleyan University Wednesday night. The Cavs dominated in a three-set sweep 25-15, 25-11 and 25-18 for the victory.

It was a big night for junior outside hitter Kaylee Scarce who had a season-high 18 kills while hitting .517 pct on 29 swings. Scarce has been the leader for UVA Wise offensively all season long. Her 18 kills Wednesday night contributed to her team-high of 186 on the season which also ranks sixth individually in the SAC.

After a rough outing against a nationally ranked Wingate squad, head coach Alyssa Hanley was looking for a boost offensively. Scarce, who had just eight kills in the loss to Wingate, provided that boost and then some. 

While Scarce was dotting kills left and right on offense, senior middle hitter Cassidy Farley was stuffing balls at the net on defense. Farley had eight blocks on the night including a pair of solo blocks. Eight blocks ties the second most in a match for Farley this season. 

She now ranks first in the SAC and ninth nationally in blocks per set (1.3), while sitting second in the conference with 71 total blocks. 

Freshman middle hitter Serina Petersen had a big night as well. Her coming out party consisted of her notching her first collegiate kill and block. To boot, she ended the night with four kills and two blocks. 

UVA Wise started the match with a quick 10-0 run with freshman defensive specialist Abigail Curtis serving. The Warriors would cut that lead minimally down to six points, but a pair of kills from freshman outside hitter Riley Brandon coupled with kills from junior outside hitters Dannah Persinger and Morgan Blevins all but sealed the opening set at 23-13. 

In the second set, UVA Wise only got better. Southern Wesleyan was much closer to open the frame. The lead was just 8-7 in the early stages for the Cavs but a 4-0 run with two kills from Scarce opened the floodgates. The Cavaliers would outscore the Warriors 17-4 to win set two.

Set three was more of the same. UVA Wise burst open the door leading 7-2. The fifth, sixth and seventh points to open the set for the Cavs all came on back-to-back-to-back kills from Scarce. The solo three-point rally was a perfect summary of her night, as she powered her way through, over and around the Southern Wesleyan blockers for three points in a row. 

After sitting at an 8-5 score, Petersen got her fourth and final kill of the night and the Cavs never looked back. They outscored SWU 17-3 in the final 20 points, including a 10-0 run to win the match.

The Cavs will resume their conference schedule with SAC foe Anderson on Friday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.