WISE – The UVA Wise volleyball team closed out the 2025 Cavalier Classic with a pair of 3-0 wins over Barton and King Saturday afternoon on the Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center.
The team will now focus on South Atlantic Conference play as, apart from two matches, the rest of the matches this season will be against SAC competition.
INSIDE THE MATCHUPS
Result: UVA Wise 3, Barton 0
Result: UVA Wise 3, King 0
Records: UVA Wise (5-4), Barton (3-3), King (2-4)
Location: Wise, VA | The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center
VS BARTON
- The teams swapped the lead early until a Barton attack error and a pair of kills by
Mia Poag put the Cavs ahead by three. The Bulldogs would cut it to 14-13 only to see UVA Wise shoot back ahead. The Cavs would close out the set on a 8-3 run to take the 25-19 victory.
- Barton briefly opened the second set by taking the lead with a 7-4 advantage until the Cavs responded with a crucial series of points, including a block by
Braelynn Williams and Poag to equalize the score at 13-13. UVA Wise closed out the set with a strong 10-5 finish, including kills from
Annabelle Dowell and
Kadence Dalton, securing a 25-19 victory.
- UVA Wise dominated the third set, opening with a 2-0 lead thanks to a kill by Brandon and a service ace from Suddeth. After a brief Barton rally tied the score at 3-3, the Highland Cavaliers responded with a 4-1 run, including a block by Williams, to regain a 7-4 lead. Blankenship's back-to-back service aces helped extend the lead to 11-5. The Cavs would maintain control as they closed the set on a 5-0 run, securing the 25-13 victory and the match with a decisive block by Dowell.
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Piper Suddeth recorded 32 assists in the match, while
Morgan Blankenship posted 10 digs and added eight kills. Williams tallied five total blocks and delivered six kills, and
Abigail Curtis led the defensive effort with 15 digs.
VS KING
- UVA Wise opened the first set strong, with
Piper Suddeth notching multiple assists over the stretch. After an initial 2-2 tie, the Cavaliers gained momentum with a series of errors from King, including a service error at 8-2.
Morgan Blankenship and
Mia Poag propelled the Cavs with kills, extending their lead to 17-10. Despite a brief comeback attempt by King, UVA Wise maintained control, closing the set at 25-16.
- The Cavs gained early momentum in the second set with a 3-0 run capped by kills from Blankenship and Poag. King briefly responded, narrowing the gap to 3-2, but the Highland Cavaliers surged ahead with a series of plays, including two service aces by Blankenship, extending their lead to 8-3.
Abigail Curtis then facilitated a dominant stretch, aiding three consecutive kills and contributing to a solid 16-5 advantage for the Cavs. Despite a brief comeback attempt by King, UVA Wise maintained control, with Blankenship recording two more service aces to reach set point at 24-11. Poag sealed the set for the Cavs with a decisive kill, resulting in a 25-13 victory.
- In the third set, UVA Wise and King engaged in a competitive battle with both teams exchanging leads. King initially pulled ahead with a 4-1 lead, but the Cavs responded with a series of successful plays, including a service ace by Curtis to tie the score at 10-10. The teams continued trading points until UVA Wise took control with a 4-0 run, pushing the score to 15-12 in their favor. Blankenship and Poag were instrumental in the final stages, helping the Cavs clinch the set 25-22 with a decisive service ace by Blankenship.
- Suddeth contributed to the team's success by recording 30 assists and adding 11 digs. Blankenship led the way with 12 kills and six service aces, totaling 18.5 points. Curtis was a defensive standout with 17 digs, providing stability in the back row. Poag also made an impact with 11 kills and 11 digs, finishing with 11 points in the match.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will make the short trip down US 58 to face Lincoln Memorial in Harrogate, Tennessee, Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.
