WISE -- UVA Wise overcame an early deficit to sweep the next three sets and defeat Charleston (WV) in four sets in non-conference action Saturday afternoon by scores of 20-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-16.
This was the first meeting between the former Mountain East Conference rivals since UVA Wise left the MEC to join the South Atlantic Conference in 2019. It is also their first win over the Golden Eagles since a 3-2 match in Wise on Nov. 4, 2016.
The Cavs improve to 4-9 all-time vs. Charleston, with all four wins being in Wise.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result; UVA Wise 3, Charleston 1
Records: UVA Wise (8-7); Charleston (9-9)
Location: Wise, Virginia | The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first set saw Charleston taking an early edge as Patrycja Majos and Julie Michalkova each secured kills, but UVA Wise quickly responded with a series of blocks, including two by
Morgan Blankenship, to take the lead at 4-2. Despite Charleston's Matea Cunningham and Majos' efforts to keep the score close, UVA Wise extended their lead to 12-7, capitalizing on attack errors by their opponents. A strong sequence from Charleston's Giuliana Batista, who delivered multiple kills, shifted momentum and tied the set at 14-14. The visitors continued their push, aided by service aces and a pair of crucial plays from Sophia Knowles, allowing them to pull ahead. Kate Strong sealed the set for Charleston with a kill, concluding the set at 25-20.
- UVA Wise roared back in the second set to claim the 25-16 victory as they hot for .370 in the set while holding UC to a .100 attack percentage. Blankenship contributed significantly with multiple kills, including back-to-back points that lifted the home team to a 6-3 lead.
Mable James and
Mia Poag also added to the Cavaliers' momentum with timely kills, while
Madilyn Pardue's serving prowess was on full display with four service aces, stretching the lead from 19-15 to 24-15. Four of the last six Cavalier points came via Pardue aces.
August Betz closed the set with a decisive kill, assisted by Pardue to tie the match at 1-1.
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- The Highland Cavaliers then secured a 25-18 victory over the Golden Eagles in the third set, highlighted by a critical series of points. With the score tied at 8-8, Wise capitalized on Charleston's errors, including multiple attack errors by Majos, to build an 11-8 lead. Blankenship contributed with a kill, while
Annabelle Dowell's service ace extended the gap to 13-8. Despite a service error by the Cavs at 17-11, they maintained their momentum with strong defensive efforts, including a block by James and Blankenship on Majos, eventually reaching set point. Charleston's service error on the final rally secured the set win for Wise.
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- The Cavs used a solid defensive effort in the fourth set to claim the 25-16 victory and take the match by a 3-1 margin. The Cavaliers started strong with a service ace from Poag and continued to build momentum with consecutive kills by
Mailea Hufnagel and Betz. Hufnagel added three more kills, contributing significantly to Wise's early 9-2 lead. Charleston tried to rally with a service ace by Majos and kills by Knowles, but the Cavs maintained control, extending the lead to 20-9. The set concluded with Dowell and Blankenship's block on Michalkova, sealing the win for the Highland Cavaliers.
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GETTING WISE
- Blankenship led the defense with seven total blocks. The last player to have that many blocks in a match was
Cassidy Farley with seven solo and five assist blocks vs. Tusculum on Oct. 23, 2024.
- Pardue facilitated the offense with 25 assists while also serving four aces. She had her first double-double at UVA Wise as she also dug 14 balls.
- James finished with nine kills and matched Blankenship's defensive effort with seven total blocks.
- Betz added 10 kills and recorded three total blocks.
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UP NEXT
The Highland Cavaliers step back into South Atlantic Conference play as they make the trip across Clinch Mountain to take on Emory & Henry. First serve is set for Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. in Emory, VA.
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