JEFFERSON CITY, TN – The UVA Wise volleyball team ended the 2025 season as they fell to Carson-Newman in straight sets in the SAC Tournament quarterfinals Tuesday evening at Holt Fieldhouse, with final scores of 25-20, 25-16, 25-19.
The loss ends the careers of
Piper Suddeth and
Morgan Blankenship. Suddeth ends her UVA Wise career with 73 kills, 1,483 assists, 85 service aces, and 736 digs. She ranks fifth in career assists, twelfth in aces, and 18th in digs. Blankenship ends her career with 495 kills, 29 aces, 149 digs, 110 assist blocks and 116 total blocks. She ties for 17th in assist blocks.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Carson-Newman 3, UVA Wise 0
Records: UVA Wise (14-15); Carson-Newman (24-4)
Location: Jefferson City, Tennessee | Holt Fieldhouse
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both teams scored twice to open the match, with an Eagle attack error tying the score at 2-2. From that point C-N slowly began to pull away, eventually building a six point lead. The Cavs never were able to chip away the lead and fell 25-20 in the first set.
- The Eagles continued their run in the second set as they surged ahead with an early 7-0 run, bolstered by kills from Raychel Ehlers and Maddie Hurst.
Mia Poag halted the run with a kill from
Riley Brandon, initiating a brief rally that included a block by Brandon and
Mailea Hufnagel, narrowing the gap to 11-4. Despite a strong defensive effort, including blocks by
Braelynn Williams and
Morgan Blankenship, the Cavs struggled to catch up. The set concluded with the Eagles securing a 25-16 victory.
- UVA Wise initiated the third set with a defensive stand, as Hufnagel and James combined for a block, resulting in an attack error by Hurst and securing the first point. The Eagles responded and tied the set at 4-4 before grabbing a two point lead. Another run extended their lead to four, and the Cavs were not able to get any closer as C-N went on for the 25-19 set win and the match victory.
GETTING WISE
-
Abigail Curtis led the defensive effort with a match-high 18 digs.
- Hufnagel contributed significantly at the net with five total blocks, tying with
Mable James, who also recorded five blocks, including one solo.
- Brandon added to the team's offensive production by tallying six kills and provided support with 10 assists.
-
Mia Poag led the team offensively with eight kills and also had seven digs.
-
Madilyn Pardue had 15 assists to lead the Cavs.
UP NEXT
The team ends their season with a 14-15 record. The 14 wins are the most since 2015. They also went 8-10 in South Atlantic Conference play, a program record since the team joined the SAC in 2019. The All-Conference teams will be announced on Friday, with several Highland Cavalier players up for postseason conference honors.
