WISE, Va. – The University of Virginia at Wise Volleyball Team (7-6, 2-3 SAC) outdueled Emory & Henry University (2-10, 0-5 SAC) in a South Atlantic Conference showdown between the two Southwest Virginia rivals Tuesday evening. It was the first match in a week for the Wasps after the previous two dates on the schedule were either postponed or cancelled due to the inclement weather across the area. The Cavaliers earned the win by scores of 25-22, 25-21 and 26-24.
The Basics
RESULTS – UVA Wise 3, Emory & Henry 0 (25-22, 25-21, 26-24)
LOCATION – Wise, Virginia
VENUE – David J. Prior Convocation Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (2-10, 0-5 SAC); UVA Wise (7-6, 2-3 SAC)
How It Happened
- Play was even through the opening points of the first set, but the visiting Wasps rattled off a 5-0 run to jump ahead 10-7 early on and force a UVA Wise timeout. The two teams traded points out of the stoppage and the score found its level at 18-18 heading into the deciding moments. A quick 4-0 burst from the Cavaliers gave them some breathing room at 22-18 and they did not look back, taking the opener 25-22.
- The second frame was hotly contested through the early stages and the score stood even at 10-10. The home team would rally for six straight to establish the 16-10 advantage. The Cavaliers maintained their advantage through the middle part of the set as they looked to take a 2-0 margin with the tally at 23-18. E&H managed to close the gap to just a pair at 23-21, but Wise closed the frame out with the final two points.
- The Wasps came out firing to begin the third set as three early kills from fifth-year front row Brianna Hogan (Front Royal, Va.) gave them the 8-4 lead, forcing another Cavaliers' timeout. UVA Wise responded out of the break, winning nine of the next 10 points to push ahead by a 13-9 scoreline. E&H showed its resilience as the Wasps battled back during the late stages of the frame. The visitors from Emory mounted a five point rally after facing a 23-19 deficit to vault ahead and reach set point. The Cavaliers were just too much on the evening as they won three consecutive points to take the set and the match 26-24.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Hogan posted her third straight match with double digits in the kills column, finishing with 10 kills, five digs and a pair of blocks. Junior outside hitter Julissa Hopgood (Lutz, Fla.) recorded six kills and two blocks while fifth-year middle Hannah Watson (Kingsport, Tenn.) added four kills and three blocks.
- Fifth-year libero Libby Bickelhaupt (Fort Myers, Fla.) posted a team-high 16 digs, three assists and a service ace. Junior setter Logan Newberry (Glade Spring, Va.) registered a team-high 22 assists, six digs, one block and a kill.
UVA Wise Individual Leaders
- Riley Brandon led the charge for the Cavaliers as she had a triple-double with 11 kills, 20 assists, 11 digs and a pair of blocks. Cassidy Farley recorded 11 kills, seven blocks and two assists while Mailea Hufnagel had 10 kills, three digs and two blocks of her own.
- Piper Suddeth finished with a double-double of 18 assists and 14 digs while adding a service ace. Abigail Curtis contributed 16 digs, four assists and a service ace.
Up Next
- The Wasps return home this Friday, October 4 when they host the Saints of Limestone University to kick off Homecoming Weekend. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from the John Rutledge King Center.
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