The Virginia women's volleyball team continues competition against non-conference teams this weekend in the Marriott Jefferson Cup at Memorial Gymnasium. The Cavaliers will face Arkansas tonight at 7 p.m. Saturday, Virginia will battle Norfolk State at 1 p.m. and Temple at 7 p.m.
With Virginia (2-1, 0-0 ACC) falling just short of the NCAA Tournament a year ago, it is essential that the Cavaliers begin the season on a good note against a series of tough non-conference opponents. Success against these teams will enhance the team's Ratings Percentage Index, a tool utilized by the tournament selection committee.
"These games are almost more critical than ACC play," All-American senior outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood said.
Virginia started building its tournament resume last weekend in Las Vegas, winning two out of three matches against quality opponents. The Cavaliers defeated Texas Tech and 2006 NCAA Tournament participant Arizona State before falling to University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the third match.
Leading the way for the Cavaliers this weekend will be Kirkwood, who was named to the All-Tournament team in Las Vegas. In addition, Virginia returns four other starters, including defensive specialist senior Melissa Caldwell at libero, sophomore Lauren Dickson at the other outside hitter position and middles junior Shannon Davis and senior Katie Oakes. Oakes earned honorable mention All-American honors last year.
Virginia, however, did lose Emily Kirkwood, last year's All-American setter. Taking her place are junior Marlow Bruneau and freshman Kelly Irvin. The presence of new faces in the lineup suggests that it might take some time for the offense to completely find its rhythm.
"I'm trying to expand my game to acclimate to the new setters," Kirkwood said. "I have confidence the offense will come."
With a new setter, the Cavaliers continue to build team chemistry and this weekend will try to identify and play to their strengths.
"We are trying to find a way to best utilize our 14 players," coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton said.
After competing on the road last weekend, the team is looking forward to playing in Memorial Gymnasium for the first time in 2007. Virginia was 12-2 at home in 2006.
"There is an atmosphere [at Memorial Gym] you can't find anywhere else," Kirkwood said.
Arkansas, the Cavaliers' first opponent of the weekend, enters the Jefferson Cup at 3-1, having lost its first match to Georgia Tech. The Razorbacks should be the stiffest competition for Virginia, receiving several votes in the latest AVCA/CSTV coaches poll after defeating Pittsburgh, Pepperdine and Oral Roberts.
Norfolk State comes to Charlottesville 0-4 after competing last weekend in the North Carolina Central Tournament. Norfolk State fell to Elon, North Carolina Central, Loyola and Campbell.
Temple, Virginia's third and final opponent of the Jefferson Cup, will compete with a 2-3 record after wins over Rider and Lehigh. The Owls' losses came to Youngstown State, Akron and Delaware.
In addition to Virginia's matches, Temple and Norfolk State kick off the Jefferson Cup at 5 p.m. Friday. Saturday, Arkansas and Temple will begin the day's competition at 11 a.m., then Norfolk State and Arkansas will play at 5 p.m. to begin the evening session. Admission for the entire tournament is free.
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