WISE, Va. — The Newberry Wolves volleyball team posted just their second true road win of the season Friday night against UVa-Wise as they defeated the Highland Cavaliers 3-1. This improves their record to 7-19 (5-16 SAC) on the season.
The third set was the turning point of the match as the teams were tied at one set apiece. Newberry won seven straight points to open the set as the Wolves took advantage of multiple UVa-Wise errors and Toni-Anne Whitlow hammered down two kills. The Wolves extended the lead out to 14-5 later in the set on a service ace before the Highland Cavaliers stormed back. Trailing 18-9, UVa-Wise won ten of the next 14 points to close to within 22-18 before Newberry won three of four points to close out the set 25-19, taking a 2-1 lead in the process.
The match started out poorly for Newberry as the Highland Cavaliers roared out to an early 7-3 lead. The Wolves would bounce back quickly, however, tying the set at 12. From then on, the stage was set and the match was back and forth throughout. Newberry got out to a 19-16 lead and held on to win 25-21, cinching a 1-0 lead.
UVa-Wise jumped out to an early lead once again in the second set as they took an early 8-3 lead. Leading 11-10, the Highland Cavaliers won five consecutive points to take a six point lead, then continued to pour it on as they stretched the lead out to 21-12. UVa-Wise then won four of the next seven points to take the set 25-15 and tie the match at one.
Similarly to the third set, Newberry got out to a quick lead in the fourth. The Wolves took an early 7-4 lead and extended it out to 10-5 on a kill by Kylee Kanealey. Although the Highland Cavaliers closed the lead to 13-12, Newberry then won five straight points to lead 18-12 on a kill by Toni-Anne Whitlow. UVa-Wise closed to within two points again at 20-18, but the Wolves held them off down the stretch and won 25-23 to win the match 3-1.
Match standouts for the Wolves included Zoe Dinkins, who posted a team-leading 12 kills and four blocks, and Sidra Triplett, who posted a team-leading six blocks. Toni-Anne Whitlow was also excellent in both categories with 11 kills and two blocks. Sydney Diaz had an excellent match with 23 digs, eight assists, and four service aces, while Avery Webb finished with 14 assists to lead the team.