The Cavaliers return home this weekend riding the strength of a four-game win streak. After beating North Carolina and N.C. State on the road last weekend, Virginia (17-6, 10-4 ACC) faces Maryland (11-11, 4-9) and Boston College (7-15, 5-8) Friday and Saturday night.
Virginia handled Maryland with some ease (3-0) when the teams met Sept. 30. The Terrapins are fresh off of a home win over ACC foe Florida State, who swept the Cavaliers in Memorial Gymnasium earlier this season. The Maryland offense has changed faces since the teams last met.
"We've seen on film a more balanced attack," Virginia coach Melissa Shelton said. "Their ball control has steadied so it gives their passing more consistency."
The Cavalier offense will meet in its match in a Maryland defense who swatted 20 blocks against Florida State. The Virginia offense showed its versatility last weekend in wins over North Carolina and N.C. State.
Outside hitter Jade Brown is no doubt the main offensive threat for Maryland. Brown leads the team in kills (281) and kills per game (371). Despite Brown's presence, the Terrapins are hitting only .184 on the season.
"Both teams present a different offense that what we've seen before," senior Emily Perilli said. "They are going to be different teams than who we have played before. We are going to keep our playing system and hopefully win that way."
After taking on the Terrapins Friday, next for the Cavaliers will be Boston College Saturday night. Unlike Maryland, the Eagles have remained consistent all season.
"They play hard all the time," Shelton said. "We know we have to play better than we did on the road the first time."
It appears the Virginia offense has finally found its stride in the serving department with 11 service aces in Saturday's win over N.C. State. In addition to serving, there is also the unwavering play of Virginia's setter. Often overlooked in the stat column is senior setter Emily Kirkwood. Last weekend, Kirkwood reached the 5,000 career assist milestone and tied the school record for career service aces with her 154th.
With Melissa Caldwell and Beth Shelton anchoring the team defensively, the team appears to have shored up its major holes at the right time. Going into play Friday, the Cavaliers stand firmly in third place in the ACC behind only Duke and Florida State. With a little under a month left of play, every match is crucial for the Cavaliers.
"Obviously we need help from other people," coach Shelton said. "We need to concentrate on beating our opponents one at a time."
The Cavaliers aren't missing the importance of this weekend's matches by any measure. It is beyond important that the Cavaliers accentuate the positives and come out with a win at home.
"We know we have to beat Maryland and we have to beat Boston College this weekend," coach Shelton said.
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