Even though they failed to receive an NCAA at-large bid, the Virginia volleyball team (23-8) has nothing to hang their heads about this season. The Cavaliers totaled 16 ACC wins this season, setting a new school record, against just six ACC losses. While being passed over for an NCAA bid was disappointing for the Cavaliers, after a loss last weekend to Clemson, the chances were slim.
"We knew we were a bubble team," Virginia coach Melissa Shelton said. "While it's very, very disappointing not to see our name up there, it's obvious that we didn't do enough to prove that we deserved it. Hopefully next year we can rectify this."
While the NCAA selection committee normally elects to invite two ACC teams, this year Duke was the conference's sole representative. In contrast, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) received an uncharacteristic seven bids.
"That's one of our arguments," Shelton said. "We feel like we would have been a much better selection than some of the bottom SEC teams. But, our conference did not prove that in our non-conference dates. It's up to all 12 conference teams to go out there and prove that we deserve more bids."
For the Cavaliers, however, this season was about far more than an NCAA bid. En route to their school record 16 ACC wins, the Cavaliers battled through injuries and played through the absence of junior outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood. Kirkwood showed her resilience this season by missing the first six conference matches and still leading the ACC with 56 service aces (0.64) per game and averaging 3.80 kills per game. It was these statistics and many more that landed Kirkwood a spot on the 2006 All-ACC Second Team. Even more impressive than that is Sarah Kirkwood's selection to ESPN the Magazine's Academic All-American team. This honor is given to only six Division I volleyball players in the entire country.
"It's an amazing honor and an astronomical achievement," Shelton said. "It's a reflection on her hard work and the University."
In addition to Sarah Kirkwood, Emily Kirkwood was named to the All-ACC first team. Emily Kirkwood garners the honor for the first time in her career in her final season. She was second in the conference with 13.08 assists per game. Kirkwood leaves the program as Virginia's all-time service leader, two ahead of her sister Sarah with 167.
"My four years here have been just an absolutely amazing experience," Emily Kirkwood said. "It's a happy and sad experience obviously, but to come in second place in the conference, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect ending to my career here at Virginia." As director of the offense, Emily Kirkwood had much to do with Virginia's success this season, and her departure will no doubt leave a dent in the program. But not one that sophomore setter Marlow Bruneau will leave vacant for long.
"It's going to be a big loss for our program in leadership and decision-making," Shelton said. "Whenever you lose a setter who runs a 5-1, it's going to change the personality of the team. It's going to be a different personality, not better and not worse. We're going to miss Emily [Kirkwood] a lot."
Not to be lost in the success of the Kirkwood family is the play this season of freshman standout Lauren Dickson. Dickson garnered much playing time when Sarah Kirkwood was ill and was rewarded for her efforts with a spot on the All-ACC Freshman Team. In addition to being among the league leader in multiple offensive categories, Dickson lead the Cavaliers with 372 kills, (3.44 per game). Dickson, along with Sarah Kirkwood, will no doubt anchor the Virginia lineup next season when the Cavaliers take the court to once again to hopefully continue the upward success of the program.
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