Coming off a strong 2-0 weekend, the Cavaliers (9-3, 2-1 ACC) will look to avenge their early season loss to Virginia Tech (9-3, 3-0 ACC) tonight at Memorial Gymnasium. Virginia Tech, however, is coming into the match hot as well, having won their last six matches in a row.
The Virginia defense, playing well of late, will have to again counter the swing of Freshman Taylor Parrish who recorded her second double-double of the season against the Cavaliers Sept. 15. The Cavaliers will also have to step up defense against senior Katie Esbrook who nailed Virginia for 12 kills and hit .625 in the teams' last meeting.
"We've made several adjustments in the last week and a half," Virginia coach Melissa Shelton said. "We're looking forward to seeing how they work against Tech."
The Hokie defense will also have its hands full with the Virginia offense, which has come on strong as of late. Katie Oakes had a career weekend this past weekend, recording 21 kills against N.C. State Saturday. In addition to Oakes, three other Cavaliers were in double figures in kills for Saturday's win. These players include Lauren Dickson (16), Lyndsey Osco (15) and Emily Perilli (12).
Virginia Tech will also have to battle against history when they visit Charlottesville this evening. The Hokies have struggled at Memorial Gymnasium recently as they have not won a match at Virginia since Sept. 1, 1992. While Virginia leads the all-time record between the teams, 26-21, the Cavaliers suffered a tough 3-0 loss earlier this season to Virginia Tech.
The Cavaliers, however, aren't letting the results of that match dampen their spirits.
"I think we're looking forward to a great match," Shelton said. "Tech is a great team, on top of the ACC standings right now, and those are the teams we're going to have to beat."
Senior Emily Perilli pointed out how much the team's recent wins are helping their mindset going into the match against the Hokies.
"It's very important, just for team morale and that we know we're a very good team," Perilli said. "Winning just kind of keeps everybody going and excited."
The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.
Read More
Volleyball holds off Boston College in tight five-set win
By Lauren Halak | 19 hours agoSenior outside hitter Elayna Duprey led the team throughout the match with 22 points and 18 kills.
Virginia annihilated 41-14 in a must-win contest versus North Carolina
By Peter Kriebel | YesterdayJust about everything that could have gone wrong for Virginia football went wrong.
No. 24 women’s soccer not to be denied in late win over Clemson
By Sam Chun | 2 days agoThe Cavaliers topped Clemson 1-0 in front of a packed out Klöckner Stadium.
