As seasons come to a close, coaches and players usually talk about wanting to be in control of their postseason positions.
The Virginia volleyball team (16-7, 6-5 ACC) finds itself in just that place as they host in-state rival Virginia Tech (11-11, 5-5) tomorrow. The Cavaliers are currently tied for fourth in the conference with Duke and have three of their final five matches against teams with .500 conference records.
"Our fate is in our own hands as far as breaking out of this group," Virginia coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton said. "We're excited about the possibilities our schedule presents. We're just trying to win one at a time."
What is all the more impressive is how quickly the Cavaliers have turned around their conference record and taken control of their season. Over the course of five days, Virginia won three matches in a row, brought their conference record over .500 for the first time since they were 1-0 and catapulted from ninth in the conference to fourth. In that time, the Cavaliers also compiled their longest conference win streak since last November, when they won four ACC matches in a row. Virginia players, however, feel as if they still have room to improve.
"As far as what other teams are doing, I think day by day we're getting better," freshman outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood said. "I think the back half of our ACC record is going to be much better than our first half. We're hoping to go 6-2 in the back half. I think we can go 7-1, personally."
One factor in the coming together of this team is the young Virginia players stepping up. Kirkwood and fellow freshman Melissa Caldwell both rank in the top 20 nationally in their best statistical categories. Kirkwood is 17th in the nation in kills per game with 5.12. Caldwell's defensive skills have helped her to grab the No. 20 ranking in the nation in digs per game with 5.45. Kirkwood's older sister Emily is another young Cavalier among the statistical leaders. The sophomore setter's average of 13.05 assists per game is currently 27th in the nation in that category. Shelton says she is excited about her team as they gain experience.
"We're a better team now," she said. "We have three freshmen on the court so it's us having more experience, more balance. It's a big difference."
The Cavaliers have used that newfound experience in their last two matches, which both went the full five games. On Tuesday, Virginia beat Maryland in a comeback win at College Park. That win came on the heels of a five-game home victory against Wake Forest last Saturday. Both matches were indicative of how competitive the ACC is.
"Everyone is beating everybody in the ACC right now, and it's still up for grabs," Sarah Kirkwood said. "We have to remember that every single match is really important."
When the Hokies visit Memorial Gymnasium Saturday, it will be the first time the in-state rivals meet as conference foes. Virginia Tech currently is headed in the opposite direction as the Cavaliers. The Hokies are in the midst of a three-match losing streak with all three losses coming on the road. The Cavaliers lead the all-time series 23-20. The young Cavaliers will look to use the match to continue their streak and maintain their place in the driver's seat.
"It's later in the season, and our teams traditionally peak later in the season, in the second half," Shelton said. "And that's when you want to be playing your best ball. I think we're on our way."
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