HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Cavalier volleyball team collected its first SAC win of the season on the road Saturday against Coker University winning three sets to one, 25-22, 20-25, 25-23 and 25-21.
With the win, the team moved to 6-4 (1-3 SAC) on the season, already matching the win total from a season ago in year two under the regime of head coach Alyssa Hanley.
The Cavs had three hitters reach double digits in the win, including a pair of underclassmen in freshman outside hitter Riley Brandon who led the match with 12 kills and sophomore outside hitter Morgan Blankenship who added 10.
Junior outside hitter Kaylee Scarce stood out again as she put up 11 kills combined with 18 digs. This is Scarce's eighth double-double of the season in just 10 matches played. She leads the team with 131 kills thus far in the season.
Scarce was monumental in aiding the Cavs in taking the opening set from the Cobras. She had five of her 11 kills in the first set.
After giving up a 4-0 run to Coker, allowing the Cobras to take a 15-12 lead, the two teams would trade 3-0 runs to leave the set at 18-15 nearing the finish line.
More back-and-forth points resulted in a 21-19 deficit for UVA Wise when Scarce made her move.
She sparked a 4-0 run with a kill that preceded an attacking error and another kill to make it 23-21 in favor of the Cavs.
After Coker snatched a point, Scarce responded with back-to-back powerful kills to give UVA Wise set one, 25-22.
In set number two, the Cobras used a 10-2 rally in the middle stages of the set to put themselves in prime position to even up the match.
Coker got production from everywhere in the second set, as five different Cobras hitters found the score sheet. They also benefited from some Cavalier miscues to the tune of 12 errors including nine attacking errors that resulted in points for Coker.
The Cobras took the second set, 25-20.
It was all Cavaliers in the final two sets. Junior setter Lily Gutierrez was dishing the ball left and right in the final sets, as she collected 12 of her 23 assists in the final two sets.
The Cavaliers' other junior setter Piper Suddeth had another big day with 19 assists and 12 digs marking her sixth double-double of the season, and her fourth in the last five matches.
Sophomore outside hitter and preseason All-SAC selection Bailey Conner played in all four sets after missing UVA Wise's most recent match against Carson-Newman with an injury. Conner performed well in her return with eight kills, three blocks and seven digs.
Conner was second on the team in kills in her freshman campaign last year and she poses a major offensive boost for UVA Wise when she is in the lineup. The Cavs made the Cobras feel her versatility and power in the win.
Next for the Cavs, they continue their road trip with their second of four matches away from home as they get set to face Emory & Henry on Tuesday, Sep. 26 at 6 p.m.
