Things just seemed a little backwards for the Virginia volleyball team this week.
The Cavaliers easily sent a mediocre Virginia Tech team packing 3-0 Tuesday in what would normally be considered a routine ACC contest. For this lopsided match, however, Memorial Gymnasium was uncharacteristically packed with banners, singing school children and a rare TV camera.
The occasion was the first game of the Commonwealth Challenge, a year-long, multi-sport showdown between the two local ACC schools who will vie for points leading up to the final title. Virginia's win puts the University half a point ahead of the Hokies in what sponsors hope will be an ongoing tradition.
From the Cavaliers' perspective, though, the match that really matters will be played this Friday -- without the noise and media attention. The Cavaliers are preparing to host No. 2 Duke, who knocked them out of the 2004 ACC Tournament. Besides a chance at revenge, a win at Mem Gym could seriously boost Virginia's hopes of a conference title.
"I hope we can make it a good match," coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton said. "Duke is doing very well. They've got a great offensive scheme that we're working on countering defensively. If we can do that, it should be a fantastic match."
If the past week has been any indication, the Cavaliers should be able to counter with an offensive punch of their own. One of the team's standouts against the Hokies was junior Lindsay Osco, an outside hitter who tallied 16 kills, five digs, three assists, two blocks and a service ace.
Virginia also counted on sophomore Sarah Kirkwood, who added 15 kills and three service aces. Together, Kirkwood and Osco combined for 31 of the team's 57 kills in the match.
"The momentum really kept us going [Tuesday night]," Osco said. "We started out a little shaky, but once we got back in the rhythm from [last weekend's matches] it was helpful."
Shelton also looked to her bench to fill in for injured starters -
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