Entering its first weekend of conference play, the Virginia women's volleyball team prepares to face the vastly improved N.C. State Wolfpack (6-2, 0-0 ACC) tonight followed by the perennially-powerful UNC Tar Heels (5-5, 0-0 ACC) Saturday.
In Raleigh, the Cavaliers must counter the Wolfpack's experienced duo of middles, senior captains Stefani Eddins and Adeola Kosoko. At the Magnolia Invitational Tournament last weekend, the two were named to the All-Tournament Team for the second consecutive tournament.
Furthermore, N.C. State ranks second in the conference in blocks (3.08 per game) and hitting percentage (.249). Eddins, who also leads the ACC in these two categories with a .483 hitting percentage and 1.73 blocks per game, will provide the Cavaliers with an especially tough matchup at the net.
This will be a true test of Virginia's resiliency, as the team will be without one of its two starting middles, freshman Shannon Davis. Davis, the team's leading blocker with an average of .97 blocks per game, will be sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in practice earlier this week.
"Although it's disappointing that I won't be able to play in the first conference game, I'll be on the sidelines supporting my team and doing anything else I can to help," Davis said.
Sophomore middle Katie Oakes, however, is poised to step up in Davis' absence. Oakes, who ranks second on the team with .94 blocks per game, broke out last weekend at the Jefferson Cup Tournament in Charlottesville and earned All-Tournament Team honors for her efforts. In addition, junior middle Stephanie Everett will be filling in for Davis at the starting position.
"[If] we work as a team at the net and let everyone know what's going on, we should be fine," Oakes said.
After methodically studying hours of game tape, Virginia will use its scouting report to determine the best strategy for Friday's match. The Cavaliers' containment of Eddins and Kosoko up front will be especially imperative to Virginia's overall success.
"We have broken down [N.C. State's] system so that we have the best advantage possible," Oakes said.
The Cavaliers have been forced to play on the road for three of their first four weekend tournaments. After strong showings in both Texas and Ohio, the squad has demonstrated its ability to remain focused away from home. Though Virginia was able use the home court advantage at the Jefferson Cup, it must yet again battle the hometown crowds in North Carolina.
"We're so used to [being on the road] that it doesn't really affect us," Oakes said.
When the Cavaliers meet the Tar Heels Saturday in Chapel Hill, they will face a balanced UNC attack, which includes junior middle Amy Beaver and senior outside hitter Dani Nyenhuis, who were both named to the preseason All-ACC team. Additionally, Virginia will confront a rowdy fan base. In the past, UNC has been especially tough to beat at home, thanks to the advantage it gains from its fans.
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