About a quarter of the way through Virginia volleyball's 1999 campaign, the team discovered it was missing something. All-ACC performer Jessica Parsons was playing spectacularly, as was fourth-year setter Mary Frances Scott, but the team was still losing - and losing badly.
At one point, the Cavs lost four straight matches, including 10 straight games, an unheard-of occurrence for a squad that didn't lose as many as two straight matches in the 1998 regular season and was supposed to contend for the ACC title this year. The missing piece needed to be found, or this season was quickly going to become a huge disappointment.
But just when the Cavaliers were about to raise the white flag, Deanna Zwarich, part-time role player, transformed into Deanna Zwarich, all-around dominating force, and filled out the empty spaces in Virginia's puzzle.
While Zwarich was considered a strong attacker and blocker last season as an exclusive front court performer, the third-year middle blocker expanded her skills in the offseason and entered the 1999 campaign as a more complete player. Her improved serving, returning and passing have allowed Cavalier Coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton to use Zwarich as both a blocker and hitter.
"It's been a learning experience to step up to the role that they want me to play this year," Zwarich said. "In past years, I've been pretty much just a front row player, but last spring, I really wanted to improve and play back row this year."
Through 21 matches, Zwarich has compiled 272 kills and 74 blocks. The Overland Park, Kan., native even has contributed to the Cavalier defense with 180 digs - the fourth-best total on the team. Compare that with last season, when Zwarich registered only 87 digs, and you can see why the Cavaliers are ecstatic about their newest star.
"Her first and second year she really came on as a stronger hitter and blocker," third-year outside hitter Katie Jones said. "This year, she's come through as an incredible passer, which is something that none of us would have expected. Before, I might have cringed if a serve went to her, but now, I have more than 100 percent confidence in her abilities all the way around the court."
Zwarich, now a force in all of Virginia's matches, is dominant when the Cavaliers need her most, in crucial Conference match-ups. While she averages an impressive 3.14 kills per game in non-Conference matches, her numbers increase to 4.18 kills per game against ACC foes, which ties her with Parsons for tops on the team.
In Friday's match against Florida State, she turned in an all-around overpowering performance. Zwarich's gaudy numbers included 15 kills, 12 digs and two blocks; she even had a service ace in the three-game sweep, prompting Seminole Coach Cecile Reynaud to extol her talents.
Zwarich "is really sharp," Reynaud said. "She's on top of everything. If [the ball] is up there, she kills it. If it's on our side, she really takes advantage of it."
After those demoralizing four straight losses, Virginia reeled off four straight victories against the ACC and now occupy the third spot in Conference standings. With Zwarich forcing opponents to concentrate on stopping more than just Parsons and Scott, the Cavaliers think their revamped team will surprise the Conference powerhouses.
"She just keeps getting better and better and adding to our program," Shelton said. "Even teams that have scouted us on tape and have come to see us can't believe how much better we are. Her being able to step up came at just the right time."
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