WINGATE, NC -- Nineteenth-ranked Wingate held off multiple comeback efforts by UVA Wise to escape Cuddy Arena the with the 25-22, 25-18, 25-22 straight-set South Atlantic Conference victory Friday evening.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Wingate 3, UVA Wise 0
Records: UVA Wise (9-8; 3-5 SAC); Wingate (15-1; 8-0 SAC)
Location: Wingate, NC | Cuddy Arena

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cavaliers opened the first set with kills from Morgan Blankenship and Mia Bradley and an ace from Mia Poagto build a 4-1 advantage. As the set progressed, WU closed the gap, taking the lead at 11-10. The Highland Cavaliers responded, briefly regaining control with a block by Mable James and Riley Brandon, and a kill from Poag assisted by Brandon, leveling the score at 19-19. However, WU edged ahead in the closing moments, with Emily Johnson and Gabby Saye contributing key points. The set ended with WU securing a narrow 25-22 victory.
In the second set, WU opened with a 5-0 run. The Cavs responded with a kill from Poag to get on the board, but WU maintained momentum, pushing the score to 9-3. The Cavs found some rhythm as the set went on, with Williams and James contributing key kills, narrowing the gap to 20-16. Despite a late push with service aces by Curtis and kills from Mailea Hufnagel, the Highland Cavaliers closed the set with a 25-18 deficit.
The Cavs started the third set with a strong sequence, taking an early 2-0 lead with a service ace by Brandon and a kill from Hufnagel. Wingate came back to take a two point lead, but two kills by Annabelle Dowell made the score close at 6-6.
WU then shifted momentum with a series of points, extending their lead to 11-6. However, the Cavs responded with a crucial defensive stand, featuring multiple blocks by Dowell, narrowing the gap to 16-15. The Cavs would cut the lead to 22-21 and 23-22, but the Bulldogs ended the set and match with back-to-back kills to win 25-22.

GETTING WISE
- Blankenship led the team with six kills.
- Brandon recorded 19 assists and contributed 10 digs for her second double-double of the season.
- Poag added nine digs and two service aces to go with five kills.
- Curtis chipped in with 12 digs and four assists.
- Bradley finished with a team-high 13 digs and one service ace.
 
UP NEXT
The Cavs will return home to take on Lincoln Memorial Tuesday evening. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
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