The Virginia volleyball team dominated all three matches this weekend to win their first Jefferson Cup title since 2004. Senior Emily Kirkwood was named tournament MVP as she led the Cavaliers to a sweep of Georgetown, Wright State and East Carolina.
The Cavaliers capped off the weekend with a 3-1 (30-19, 27-30, 30-22, 30-24) victory over East Carolina Saturday night. The Cavaliers got off to a strong start, beating the Pirates convincingly in the first game. In the second game, however, the Cavaliers fell behind early but went on a five-point run to make the score 12-10, ECU. Then a rotation error by the Pirates caused a break, halting the Cavaliers momentum. From that point, Virginia played from behind, hitting only .159 in the game and eventually losing, 27-30.
"It was tough for us," Virginia coach Melissa Shelton said. "We haven't really worked on breaks. We had had Katie Oakes serving -- who doesn't always serve for us -- but we still won the match and that's what counts."
The Cavaliers went on to win games three and four to take the match and the Jefferson Cup. Against ECU, the Cavaliers hit .287 with five players in double figures of kills, including junior Sarah Kirkwood, who led the team with 17 kills.
Saturday afternoon, the Cavaliers matched up with the Wright State Raiders, sweeping them in three straight games 3-0 (30-27, 30-22, 30-21).
The Cavaliers took the lead early in the first game and never relinquished it, winning 30-27. The Virginia defense was top-notch, allowing the Raiders to hit only .094 in the game. The Cavaliers breezed through the next two games and took a decisive victory over Wright State. Sarah Kirkwood turned in a double-double with 16 kills (to lead the team) and 11 digs.
To open the tournament, the Cavaliers played host to the Georgetown Hoyas Friday night. Virginia offered up a balanced offensive attack and beat the Hoyas in straight games 3-0 (30-20, 30-24, 32-30). The Cavaliers picked up the offense that started slow last weekend, hitting a strong .344 in the match. Outside hitter Lindsey Osco anchored the Cavaliers attack, hitting .526 in the match with only one error.
"We did really well (on offense)," Shelton said. "A lot of that was that Lindsey Osco emerged as an offensive threat on the right side. This is only her second weekend playing that position."
Freshman Lauren Dickson led the Cavaliers with 12 kills but did not take all the credit.
"I thought it was a really good team effort," Dickson said. "Even if I had 12 kills, I know a bunch of other people had 10 [and] 11 so it was a really balanced attack."
Each team presented the Cavaliers with a different challenge. Virginia responded accordingly with three dominating wins.
"I feel like we learned something from every game," Emily Kirkwood said. "I'm really excited to see where we can go in the ACC."
Despite the strong showing this weekend the Cavaliers still have work to do, according to Shelton.
"I think we can still step up a little bit," Shelton said. "We're making too many errors on the service line and our defense still, our left back defense could get a little better. But we're doing some good things and we'll be challenged again next weekend."
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