WISE -- UVA Wise overcame an initial setback to secure a 3-1 victory over Catawba  on Friday night on the Quillen Court, with final set scores of 24-26, 25-22, 25-22, 25-14. The Cavaliers tallied 10 service aces to help clinch the win, which secures them a five-seed in next week's South Atlantic Conference Volleyball Tournament

The five-seed is the highest for the program in the SAC Tournament is the second highest in the program's NCAA era. They were a four-seed in the 2015 Mountain East Conference Tournament. This is their second straight appearance in the SAC Tournament.

It was also Senior Night, with Piper Suddeth and Morgan Blankenship being honored before the match.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 3, Catawba 1
Records: UVA Wise (14-14, 8-10 SAC); Catawba (9-14, 6-12 SAC)
Location: Wise, VA | The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center

HOW IT HAPPENED
- UVA Wise started strong in the first set, securing an early lead with a series of errors from the Catawba Indians, including a service ace by Morgan Blankenship that contributed to a 6-2 advantage. Key plays from Mable James and Riley Brandon helped the team maintain a narrow lead. However, Catawba responded with a strong run, leveling the score at 8-8. The teams exchanged points, with Madilyn Pardue assisting on multiple kills. As the set progressed, the Highland Cavaliers continued to fight, with Blankenship delivering crucial kills. A late surge saw the score tied at 24-24 after another kill by Blankenship. A costly service error allowed Catawba to capitalize and close the set with a 26-24 win.
- The Cavaliers trailed for about 90 percent of the second set but with the set on the line they overcame a three point deficit to tie the score at 22-22. Key contributions came from Mia Poag, who delivered a crucial service ace, and Brandon, whose consistent setting facilitated multiple scoring opportunities for her teammates. The set concluded with the Cavs capitalizing on two Catawba errors and two aces from Poag, securing a 25-22 victory.
- In the third set, the Cavs secured a tight victory with a 25-22 score. The home team gained the early lead with a critical block by Blankenship and Annabelle Dowell, which was followed by a successful kill from Poag, giving them a 4-3 edge. Brandon contributed with a decisive kill to widen the gap, and James added two crucial points late in the set. Despite the Catawba Indians' attempts to rally back, including a series of kills from Martina Foster and Lillie Kate Rogers, the Cavaliers maintained their lead. The final point came from Mailea Hufnagel, who clinched the set with a kill assisted by Brandon.
- The Highland Cavaliers grabbed an early three point lead by capitalizing on a series of errors by the Catawba Indians. They then surged ahead again with a big run to extend the lead to 19-12. Brandon's service ace and several key kills, including contributions from Hufnagel and Poag, pushed the home team ahead. Dowell and Blankenship had key blocks down the stretch as the Cavs outscored Catawba 6-2 down the final stretch. The set concluded with James securing the final kill, sealing the set with a 25-14 victory.

GETTING WISE
- Blankenship led the Cavaliers' effort with eight kills, four service aces and contributed five blocks, adding to her 14.5 point tally in her final home appearance.
- Brandon supported with six kills and 15 assists, while also recording 10 digs.
- Abigail Curtis amassed 15 digs over the match.
- Dowell was effective at the net, achieving six total blocks.
- James had a career-high seven blocks.
- Hufnagel led the team with eleven kills, and also had five digs.
- Poag had nine kills to go along with 15 digs.
- The team had 26 block assists, a season high.

UP NEXT
The team now looks to the postseason and a rematch with Carson-Newman as the Eagles claimed the four-seed in the SAC Tournament. The two teams last met three days ago in Jefferson City, Tennessee, with C-N prevailing 3-0.