WISE – For the second home match in a row, UVA Wise lost an emotional and hotly contested five-set match against Lincoln Memorial Monday night. The Cavs fell 25-15, 25-17, 22-25, 21-25, and 8-15.
The Cavs started out scorching hot and picked up where they left off from their last home match against Emory & Henry. In that match, UVA Wise dropped in a record 14 service aces, the most in a match for the program since 2018.
On Monday night, UVA Wise opened up nine aces, including seven in the first two sets. Junior outside hitter Kaylee Scarce had another great night. She helped UVA Wise jumped out to a two-sets-to-none lead thanks to very efficient work at the net.
Scarce would lead all hitters with 22 kills on the night, just one shy of her career-high which she set just a week prior against Emory & Henry. Scarce dropped in her 22 kills on only 53 swings for a .321 hitting percentage.
Scarce coupled her offensive performance with a career-high 22 digs on defense, marking her 16th double-double of the season.
However, the only other Cavalier hitter in double figure scoring was junior outside hitter Morgan Blevins who racked up 10 kills.
A few underclassman joined Scarce in having career nights. Sophomore setter Piper Suddeth had a career-best 27 assists, while freshman right side hitter Serina Petersen put up a record six blocks for her career.
After winning the first two sets in dominating fashion, a recurring theme reared its ugly head for UVA Wise.
Before Monday night, the Cavs had a 7-25 record in matches within five sets in SAC contests. Monday night, UVA Wise lost two more sets within that margin as LMU took the third and fourth sets 22-25 and 21-25 respectively.
It was senior outside hitter Ketura Margaret that provided blow after blow for the Railsplitters. She had 19 kills on 44 swings for a .295 hitting percentage. She scorched six crucial kills in the fifth set including the final point that sealed the match.
Lincoln Memorial picks up much needed win for a rebuilding program. The win snaps a four-match losing streak and moves the Railsplitters up to 10-17 overall and 4-13 in the SAC. 10 wins is two improved from last year's squad for head coach Chris Phillips while 4 wins in the conference matches last season's total.
For the Cavs, they fall to 9-15 on the year and 2-14 in the SAC, having dropped 11 conference matches in a row.
UVA Wise continues its busy week at home on Thursday Nov. 9 when Wingate comes to town. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
