Volleyball isn't usually a funny sport. Fast-paced and loud, maybe, but not funny.
A rare exception to that rule came during the second game of Virginia's 3-1 victory over Wake Forest Saturday, when outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood took a set from her older sister, Emily Kirkwood.
The Wake Forest side, already wary of the younger Kirkwood's dangerous potential, steeled themselves for a blast toward the corner. Instead, Virginia's kill leader floated a butterfly of a shot right to the empty spot in the middle of the floor.
Immediately, all six Wake Forest players dove toward the ball, creating a pileup in the middle of the court without managing to lay a finger on Kirkwood's shot. As the long-legged Deacons untangled themselves, the Cavs flashed a few smiles before getting back down to business.
"Those kinds of shots can be really frustrating on defense," junior setter Emily Kirkwood said. "You just have to place them right."
By mixing power and finesse, the Cavaliers were able to pull out their third-straight ACC win at Memorial Gymnasium, boosting their conference record to 5-2, while Wake Forest fell to 1-6.
Like many ACC games so far this season, the Cavaliers started out strong but seemed to fade temporarily after an initial burst.
"I think [the team] played really well tonight," co-captain Kristin Chaney said.
Chaney, who provided support from the bench after recent knee surgery, emphasized that even after the Cavaliers dropped a game, momentum wasn't lost.
After losing a game, "we have a little more energy, a little more intensity, so you know you just have to work a little harder each time," Chaney said.
Sure enough, in the third game, the Cavaliers seemed to shake off their earlier lethargy. In one momentum-changing play, middles Shannon Davis and Stephanie Everett teamed up for a block that prompted assistant coach Matt Ginipro to jump out of his seat and congratulate the two.
Sarah Kirkwood also did her part to boost the team, drilling four aces as the Cavaliers cruised to a 30-20 victory.
In the fourth and final game, the Demon Deacons refused to lie down -- starting off with a nasty kill and tying the Cavaliers twice before falling 30-18.
Virginia was led down the stretch by outside hitters Lindsay Osco and Sarah Kirkwood, who each ended the night with 18 kills.
"The outside hitters were really doing well tonight," Emily Kirkwood said. "We actually started setting them low tonight, and that obviously paid off towards the end."
Saturday's victory over the Demon Deacons caps a good weekend for Virginia volleyball. Friday, the Cavaliers upset pre-season ACC favorite Duke 3-1, launching themselves to fourth place in the conference.
After a long stint at Memorial Gym, Virginia will head on the road later this week -- and might even add a few more light moments in the season's home stretch.
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