WISE – UVA Wise volleyball picked up their second South Atlantic Conference victory in as many days with the 3-1 win over Mars Hill on the back of 13-kill performances from Mailea Hignagel and
Mia Poag on the Quillen Court Saturday afternoon. It is their first win over Mars Hill in program history.
The win not only returns the favor for a 3-0 loss at Mars Hill but moves the team to fifth in the SAC standings with less than a month remaining in the season.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 3, Mars Hill 1
Records: UVA Wise (12-10, 6-7 SAC); Mars Hill (7-10, 4-8 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The opening set began with the Mars Hill volleyball team establishing an early lead, scoring four consecutive points, including kills from Selma Vassdal and Brooke Hoffman. UVA Wise responded with a strong comeback, leveling the score through kills by
Mia Poag and
Riley Brandon. A critical shift occurred as the Cavaliers surged ahead with a series of successful kills by
Morgan Blankenship and a service ace from
Braelynn Williams, building a 16-9 advantage. Despite the Lions' efforts to close the gap with points from Skylar Ogden and an ace by Ioana Poenaru, the Highland Cavaliers maintained the lead. The set concluded with a decisive kill by Williams, giving UVA Wise a 25-18 victory.
- Mars Hill capitalized on a strong start in the second set against the Cavs, building an early 4-0 lead with contributions from Jenna Rosenbaum, who had a kill and a service ace. Ioana Poenaru also aiding the Lions to a 7-1 advantage with some key kills. Although UVA Wise attempted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 11-8 with kills by
Mailea Hufnagel and Poag, Mars Hill's Alyssa Kornegay and Ogden responded with key points to extend the lead. A late surge by Mars Hill, featuring a service ace and solid defense, helped them close out the set at 25-15, with Keira Links delivering the final kill.
- The third set saw a back-and-forth battle between the teams, with multiple lead changes and tied scores. Early in the set, Poag contributed consecutive kills to give the Cavs an 8-6 edge. The Lions responded with a series of kills, including two from Ogden, to tie the score at 16-16. UVA Wise then regained momentum with a service ace and a series of Mars Hill errors, ultimately pulling ahead 21-19. The set concluded with Blankenship securing the final two points for the Cavs, including a kill assisted by Brandon, to clinch the set 25-21.
- Mars Hill took an early lead in the fourth set, capitalizing on errors by the Cavs to go ahead 13-4. Ogden and Vassdal contributed key blocks and kills during this stretch. UVA Wise responded with a run, tightening the score to 17-13 with kills from Hufnagel and
Mable James, and a block by Williams. The set remained tense as the Cavs fought back from a 24-21 deficit, eventually tying the score at 24-24 with a kill by Blankenship. The set continued to a dramatic finish, with UVA Wise closing it out 29-27 after an attack error by Poenaru.
GETTING WISE
- Hufnagel helped lead the team with 13 kills, nearly matching her career high of 15 she set Friday evening vs. Coker.
- Poag also had 13 kills in addition to 19 digs. It was her sixth double-double of the season.
- Brandon posted a strong defensive performance with 17 digs while also adding 24 assists for her fifth double-double of 2025.
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Abigail Curtis was a key player in the back row, recording 21 digs over the four games.
- Williams was effective at the net, finishing with six total blocks.
- James also tallied six total blocks in the contest.
- The win breaks an 18 match streak by Mars Hill dating back to 1977, though the two teams didn't play from 1977-92 and from 1996-2011.
UP NEXT
As October comes to a close, the team will have a few days off before they travel to Anderson, South Carolina, to face Anderson at 6:30 p.m. on October 31.
