WISE -- The UVA Wise volleyball team utilized nine aces as they picked up a huge South Atlantic Conference win over Lincoln Memorial University in straight sets, 25-18, 25-19, 25-21, Tuesday evening on the Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center.
The win moves the all-time record against LMU to 4-21. The last win by the Cavs was on Nov. 1, 2022, also in Wise.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 3, Lincoln Memorial 0
Records: UVA Wise (10-8, 4-5 SAC); LMU (7-12, 3-7 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UVA Wise never trailed as
Morgan Blankenship and
Mailea Hufnagel had key kills, while
Mia Poag contributed a service ace, to shoot the Cavs out to a 6-3 lead. After LMU cut it to one points, UVA Wise regained the momentum as they took advantage of several LMU errors, a standout block by
August Betz and
Mable James, and aces from
Abigail Curtis that extended the lead to 15-6. As the set progressed, the Railsplitters attempted to close the gap, but the Cavaliers responded with kills from Hufnagel and Poag.
Sydney Stone's service ace and a subsequent block further solidified the lead. The set concluded with a ball handling error by LMU, securing a 25-18 victory for the Highland Cavaliers.
- UVA Wise began the second set with a strong performance, capitalizing on early errors from the Railsplitters to establish a 5-1 lead, highlighted by a kill from Blankenship. A brief rally by Lincoln Memorial brought the score to 5-4, but the Cavs responded with a series of kills from James and Blankenship, extending their lead to 8-4. Key contributions from Poag and Betz helped push the home team to a 15-8 advantage. Lincoln Memorial attempted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 18-14, but UVA Wise sealed the victory at 25-19 with a decisive kill by Betz, following a service ace from Curtis.
- LMU took an early lead in the third set before the Cavs rallied from a 0-2 start with contributions from
Braelynn Williams and a key service ace by Poag to take a 3-2 lead. The teams traded points, but the Highland Cavaliers used a series of attack errors by Lincoln Memorial's Kaytlin Johnson to allow UVA Wise to build a 12-9 advantage. The Cavs extended their lead to 18-14 via a kill from Betz and a service ace by Stone. Despite a late push by the Railsplitters, the Cavs maintained their composure, closing the set with a 25-21 victory, capped by another kill from Betz.
GETTING WISE
- Blankenship and Poag led the team offensively with seven kills apiece, while Poag also chipped in eleven digs.
- Curtis recorded 19 digs and added three service aces to lead the team defensively.
- Betz had a strong performance at the net, tallying six block assists and six kills.
- James led with a total of seven blocks, including one solo, and added six kills.
- Stone was effective from the service line, delivering four aces across the matches.
- The Cavs hit .105 for the match while holding LMU to .017 percent.
UP NEXT
UVA Wise continues their home stand as they will face Anderson on The Quillen Court this Saturday at 3 p.m.
