HICKORY, NC – The Highland Cavalier volleyball team fell to Lenoir-Rhyne 3-0 on the Bears' home court Tuesday evening as the Bears pulled ahead late in each set to claim the South Atlantic Conference victory.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Lenoir-Rhyne 3, UVA Wise 0
Records: UVA Wise (10-10, 4-7 South Atlantic Conference); Lenoir-Rhyne (14-5, 8-3 SAC)
Location: Hickory, NC | Shuford Memorial Coliseum
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UVA Wise opened the match with a service ace by
Madilyn Pardue and extended the lead to 3-0 after a block from
Mia Bradley and
Mable James. Despite this strong start, the Bears responded, tying the score at 3-3. A series of kills by
Isabella Baylor and
Mia Poag kept the Cavaliers close, but Lenoir-Rhyne managed to edge ahead. The Bears surged ahead midway through the set, eventually leading by nine. The teams traded points down the stretch with L-R taking the set 25-15.
- The teams traded points early until the Bears pulled ahead by four. The Cavs came back, tying the set at 12-12 on a kill by Baylor. Lenoir-Rhyne then pulled ahead by four again, only to see the Cavs come back and cut the lead to two on a kill by James. The Bears then closed out the set on a 6-1 run to claim the 25-19 win.
- The third set began with UVA Wise gaining an early advantage, capitalizing on a service ace by
Sydney Stone to establish a 4-1 lead. However, the Bears responded with a run of their own, taking a 9-7 lead after a service ace by Addison Vary. The Cavs fought back with key kills from
August Betz and a timely service ace by Stone, narrowing the gap to 17-15. The Bears, however, sustained their lead through kills by Kayli Cleaver and Emmaleigh Allen, eventually closing the set at 25-19 to secure the win.
GETTING WISE
- James led the team with seven kills and added a block assist, while Williams added in five kills.
- Pardue recorded 15 assists and added two service aces.
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Riley Brandon contributed with 13 assists and four digs.
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Abigail Curtis led the team defensively, posting 10 digs over three sets.
UP NEXT
The Cavs return home for a two-match weekend SAC homestand where they will face Coker Friday evening at 6 p.m. and Mars Hill Saturday at 3 p.m.
