JEFFERSON CITY, TN -- Carson-Newman defeated UVA Wise in straight sets, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23, in a South Atlantic Conference match at Holt Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening. The Cavaliers tallied seven service aces in the match.
With only one match now remaining, the Cavs are currently tied for fifth place in the SAC with Tusculum. The Pioneers are at Mars Hill Friday evening and defeated the Lions 3-2 in Greeneville earlier this season. There is a logjam for seventh place, with five teams vying to finish seventh or eighth as the SAC Tournament takes the top eight seeds.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Carson-Newman 3, UVA Wise 0
Records: UVA Wise (13-14, 7-10 SAC); Carson-Newman (22-4, 13-4 SAC)
Location: Jefferson City, TN | Holt Fieldhouse
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UVA Wise started the first set with strong offensive plays, including a kill by
Riley Brandon assisted by
Abigail Curtis, leveling the score early at 1-1. After the Eagles went on a run,
Mailea Hufnagel then contributed two kills to help the Cavs close a four-point gap to tie the set at 6-6. The teams then traded points for a while until
Mable James made the score 17-16 in favor of the Highland Cavaliers with a kill from
Madilyn Pardue. As the set progressed, the Eagles capitalized on service errors and attack missteps by the Cavaliers, allowing them to regain control. Despite the efforts from players like
Serina Petersen, who managed to keep the score tight at 18-18 with a crucial kill, Carson-Newman surged ahead. They closed the set with a series of successful plays, ending the first set at 25-18 against the Highland Cavaliers.
- UVA Wise and the Eagles had a hard-fought second set, with Hufnagel leading a key sequence that included multiple kills to keep the score tight. Brandon contributed significantly with timely kills, assisted by Pardue, helping the Cavs maintain momentum. Despite their efforts, the Eagles edged out at the end, securing the set with a score of 25-22.
- The Cavs opened the third set with a quick advantage, as
Mia Poag delivered consecutive service aces, establishing an early 2-0 lead. Brandon contributed with a kill, and Petersen added a service ace, helping the Highland Cavaliers maintain a 4-1 edge. Carson-Newman responded, closing the gap with a series of plays, tying the score at 6-6. As the set progressed, the Cavs regained momentum with key plays from Hufnagel and
Morgan Blankenship, pulling ahead to a 12-9 advantage. However, the Eagles mounted a comeback, eventually tying the game at 16-16. Brandon's kills kept the Cavaliers within reach, but Carson-Newman ultimately clinched the set with a final score of 25-23, completing the season sweep of UVA Wise.
GETTING WISE
- Brandon led with 11 kills, contributing 11.5 points to the team's effort.
- Pardue recorded a team-high 27 assists and added six digs.
- Hufnagel posted 11 kills with a .409 hitting percentage.
- Poag made an impact from the service line with four aces, adding to her eight digs.
- The Cavs' win over Emory and Henry last week was their thirteenth of the season and their seventh SAC win. The thirteen wins are the most since the 2015 season and the seven SAC wins are a new record for SAC wins since UVA Wise joined the conference in 2019 and are the most overall conference wins since 2016.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will return to The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center for one final time this Friday as they host Catawba at 6:00 p.m. It will be Senior Day, with the team honoring
Piper Suddeth and
Morgan Blankenship before the match.
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