HARROGATE, TN -- UVA Wise stayed withing striking distance through the whole match but was unable to overcome strong hitting by Lincoln Memorial as they fell 3-0 to the Railsplitters in a South Atlantic Conference match Tuesday night in the Mary Mars Gym.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Lincoln Memorial 3, UVA Wise 0
Records: UVA Wise (5-5, 0-2 SAC); LMU (5-5, 2-0 SAC)
Location: Harrogate, Tennessee | Mary E. Mars Gym
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In the first set, the Railsplitters took an early 2-0 lead. Despite several service errors by both teams, LMU maintained a slim advantage. The Highland Cavaliers managed to tie the score at 9-9 with a run featuring consecutive kills from
Braelynn Williams and
Riley Brandon. However, the Railsplitters regained momentum, pulling ahead 19-15 with key plays from Kaytlin Johnson and Alexia McGee. Although the Cavs attempted a late rally with a kill by
Mia Poag and another by
Mailea Hufnagel, LMU secured the set 25-21, closing with a decisive kill from McGee.
- The second set began with LMU capitalizing on two service aces to establish an early 2-0 lead. The Cavaliers responded with a service ace from
Morgan Blankenship, but service errors on both sides kept the score tight. After LMU extended their lead to 9-4, UVA Wise's
Abigail Curtis then executed a service ace, narrowing the gap to 9-8. As the set progressed, both teams traded points, with LMU maintaining a slight edge. Despite late efforts from UVA Wise, including a kill from
Mia Poag that brought the score to 24-22, a service error by Blankenship concluded the set, giving LMU a 25-22 victory.
- In the third set, the Railsplitters opened a strong 7-0 run. UVA Wise responded with a kill by Blankenship and a service ace from
Sydney Stone, narrowing the gap to 7-2. Despite their efforts, a series of service errors and a kill from Maier extended LMU's lead to 16-7. The Cavs mounted a late rally, with Blankenship and Brandon contributing to a 5-0 run, reducing the deficit to 24-21. However, LMU secured the set 25-21 with a final kill by Georgia Dobson.
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Piper Suddeth led the Cavs with 23 assists and added two kills on a .500hitting percentage. Blankenship was active defensively, collecting 13 digs while also contributing eight kills and two service aces. Curtis anchored the back row, posting a team-high 15 digs and serving one ace. Stone was effective from the service line, recording two aces and adding seven digs.
UP NEXT
The Cavs will host Newberry for a SAC match Friday evening on The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
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