WISE – The UVA Wise volleyball capitalized on a robust defensive effort, recording 76 digs and eight total blocks, to defeat Newberry in South Atlantic Conference action by a 3-1 score Friday evening.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: UVA Wise 3, Newberry 1
Records: UVA Wise (6-5, 1-2 SAC); Newberry (5-3, 0-2 SAC)
Location: Wise, Virginia | The Quillen Court in the David J. Prior Convocation Center
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first set, Newberry took an early advantage with a 4-1 start, highlighted by strong play from Anna Schneider and Carole Ann Hussey. The Cavaliers responded with a series of effective plays, including a pivotal 5-1 run to tie the score at 5-5, led by
Piper Suddeth's assistance. The teams exchanged points closely, with
Morgan Blankenship's consistent kills keeping the Cavaliers competitive. As the set progressed, the Cavs gradually built momentum, with
August Betz and
Abigail Curtis contributing key points to edge out the Wolves. Ultimately, the Cavaliers secured the set with a decisive 25-21 victory, capped by another kill from Blankenship.
The second set between the Highland Cavaliers and the Wolves saw an intense exchange of points with both teams striving for control. The Cavs gained an early advantage with Suddeth serving an ace and contributing to a kill, but the Wolves quickly responded with a series of points, including a service ace by Hailey Clayworth, to take a 4-2 lead. A notable streak occurred when Schneider contributed multiple kills, helping her team maintain a narrow lead. The Cavs fought back, leveling the score at 13-13 after a bad set by Hussey, and later taking a 17-14 lead due to errors from Newberry. However, the Wolves clawed back to tie the game at 23 apiece, and despite a late push from the Cavs, Newberry edged out a 28-26 win, capitalizing on attack errors by the Cavs in the closing moments.
The Cavs secured a decisive victory in the third set against the Wolves, with the set ending 25-17 in favor of the home team. The period began with a strong start for the Cavs, highlighted by a 4-0 run that included a service ace from
Sydney Stone and a kill by Blankenship. The Wolves managed to close the gap briefly with a service ace by Gabi Garabedian, tying the score at 10-10. However, the Cavs responded with a decisive 6-0 run, featuring a service ace by
Madilyn Pardue and multiple attack errors by the Wolves, extending their lead to 20-13. Suddeth's assist to Betz and subsequent Newberry attack errors sealed the set for the Cavs at 25-17.
In a tightly contested fourth set, the Cavs secured a 30-28 victory over the Wolves. The set began with Suddeth serving an ace, quickly followed by a kill from Blankenship, setting an early tone for the Cavs. The Wolves briefly responded, leveling the score at 2-2, but the Cavs regained momentum with a series of kills from
Serina Petersen and
Mia Poag, extending their lead to 8-3. The Wolves mounted a comeback, tying the score at 15-15 after a series of attack errors by the Cavs. The teams traded points, with the Wolves briefly taking the lead at 25-24 after a service ace by Kate Gross. However, decisive kills from Blankenship and
Mia Bradley, aided by assists from Suddeth and Curtis, propelled the Cavs to clinch the set and the match at 30-28.
GETTING WISE
- Blankenship had 15 kills and added three blocks, finishing with 16.5 points.
- Curtis contributed defensively with 24 digs over four sets, marking a highlight for the team and moving her ever closer to the 1,000 digs mark for her career. She currently has 969, placing her eleventh all-time. She surpassed Erin Anderson's total of 950 she had from 2013-16.
- Poag recorded her fifth double-double of the season with to lead the team with 16 kills to go along with 15 digs, accumulating a team-high 18 points.
- Suddeth distributed the ball effectively, tallying 28 assists and securing nine digs, just missing a fifth double-double. She currently has 1,457 assists for her career and is in fifth place in career digs, trailing Makayla Ledford (2017-20) by 107.
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Sydney Stone also added in 10 digs, while
Madilyn Pardue flirted with a double-double with 18 assists and eight digs.
UP NEXT
The team will make the trip down US 23/I-26 to face Mars Hill Tuesday evening. Mars Hill gave Lions head coach Mike Smith a win over his former team when they defeated Lincoln Memorial 3-1 in Chambers Gym earlier tonight. They are now 4-2 overall and 1-0 in SAC play heading into Tuesday's matchup. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
