GREENWOOD, SC – The UVA Wise volleyball team split a pair of matches at the Redderson Invitational Saturday afternoon, falling 3-2 to Converse and sweeping host Lander 3-0 in the nightcap.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result Match One: Converse 3, UVA Wise 2
Result Match Two: UVA Wise 3, Lander 0
Records: UVA Wise (1-2); Converse (1-1); Lander (1-2)
Location: Greenwood, SC | Finis Horne Arena
HOW IT HAPPENED – UVA WISE VS. CONVERSE
First Set
- The Highland Cavaliers gained an early advantage at 5-2, thanks to multiple attack errors by Converse.
- Converse rallied with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a kill from Ariel Bryant, to take the lead at 7-6.
- The Cavs tied the score at 12-12 with a service ace from
Abigail Curtis, but Converse soon regained control.
- Converse secured the set 25-18 with strong finishing plays, including a kill from Ariel Bryant.
Second Set
- Converse quickly established momentum with a 4-1 lead, highlighted by an ace from Alysha Arroyo at 1:17.
- The Cavs responded with a service ace from
Maggy Sechrist, narrowing the gap to 4-3.
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Skye Williams propelled a UVA Wise comeback, contributing a series of kills and a key service ace to gain a 17-15 advantage.
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Maggy Sechrist sealed the set for the Cavs with consecutive kills, securing a 26-24 victory.
Third Set
- The Cavs took an early lead, with
Skye Williams' kill setting the tone at 1-0.
- Converse responded with a series of points, but UVA Wise maintained pressure, tying the score at 8-8 with a key kill by
Annabelle Dowell.
- Converse built a 19-13 advantage, benefiting from effective play by Bree Lyons and Ella Ruckman.
- UVA Wise mounted a late comeback, closing the set with a 7-0 run, highlighted by
Mia Poag's kill at 23-23, securing a 25-23 victory.
Fourth Set
- Converse built early momentum with a 5-1 lead, highlighted by a service ace from Ariel Bryant.
- The Cavaliers narrowed the gap to 9-8 with kills by
Maggy Sechrist and
Annabelle Dowell, but Converse responded with a 4-1 run to extend its lead to 13-9.
- A series of attack errors by UVA Wise allowed Converse to stretch its advantage to 20-15, despite a service ace by
Skye Williams during the Cavs' attempt to rally.
- Converse closed the set on a 6-3 run, sealing a 25-18 victory and taking the match.
Fifth Set
- Converse took an early 2-0 lead with consecutive points, including a kill from Ariel Bryant.
- UVA Wise closed the gap to 3-2 with a kill by
Skye Williams.
- Converse extended its lead to 5-2 behind a kill from Bree Lyons.
- The Cavs fought back to reduce the deficit to 12-11 after a sequence capped by
Mia Poag's kill.
- Converse secured the set 15-11 with a kill from Bree Lyons, closing the match.
MATCH NOTES
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Abigail Curtis had 29 digs and added in two service aces.
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Serina Petersen notched six kills on 11 attempts with a .455 hitting percentage and had two total blocks.
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Madilyn Pardue dished out 46 assists.
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Mia Poag had 15 kills and seven digs.
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Skye Williams tallied six service aces and had a match-high 11 kills.
UVA WISE VS LANDER
First Set
- The University of Virginia's College at Wise gained an early advantage with a 3-0 run, highlighted by
Braelynn Williams' service ace, to lead 4-1.
- A sequence of four consecutive points, including an ace by
Maggy Sechrist at 10-4, extended the lead for the Cavaliers.
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Isabella Baylor and
Mable James notched crucial kills, pushing UVA Wise further ahead to 17-9.
- UVA Wise closed the set strongly with a kill from James, securing a 25-16 victory.
Second Set
- Lander University gained early momentum with a 4-0 run, including two service aces by Sam Alwardt, to lead 4-1.
- The Cavs responded with a series of kills from Williams and Baylor, closing the gap to 9-9.
- Later, the Cavs went on a decisive 5-1 run, highlighted by a service ace from
Abigail Curtis, to take a 14-11 advantage.
- The Cavaliers secured the set victory, 25-23, following a service error by the Bearcats' Camryn Scherer.
Third Set
- The Highland Cavaliers surged to an early 3-0 lead, highlighted by consecutive service aces from
Skye Williams.
- Lander fought back to level the score at 15-15, with key contributions from Gracelyn America and Madeline Green.
- The teams exchanged points late in the set, with
Serina Petersen's kill giving the Cavs a 26-25 advantage.
- An attack error by Amelia May sealed the set for UVA Wise, closing it at 27-25.
MATCH NOTES
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Olivia Amos had a match-high 35 assists, two kills, and seven digs.
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Isabella Baylor led all players with 11 kills and also had two service aces and seven digs.
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Skye Williams had a solid all-around game with eight kills, two service aces, nine digs, and two total blocks.
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Maggy Sechrist had 13 digs, six kills, and one service ace.
GETTING WISE
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Abigail Curtis not only became the fifth Highland Cavalier to surpass 1,300 career digs, but also passed Morgan Milligan (1302, 2016-19) to move into fourth place all-time. Curtis' four aces this weekend also moved her to 14th all-time, passing Mikaela Anders (2008-11).
- Serina Peterson ends the weekend with 43 solo blocks and 164 total blocks for her career. She is currently tied for 12th with Santana Bishop (2013-16) and is one shy of tying 13th place Robyn Dougherty (2009-12) on the all-time lists.
- The win over Lander improves the Cavs' record vs. the Bearcats to 1-1 and the loss vs. Converse gives the Valkyries the 3-0 lead in the series.
UP NEXT
The Highland Cavaliers will open up SAC play next weekend as they play at Lenoir-Rhyne Friday evening at 6 p.m. and Catawba Saturday at 2 p.m. They will then return to Wise for the home opener vs. Emory & Henry on Sept. 10 at 7:00 p.m.
