The Virginia women's volleyball team posted a 2-1 record this weekend in the Marriott Jefferson Cup at Memorial Gymnasium, dropping their first match to Arkansas Friday night before rebounding to defeat Norfolk State and Temple Saturday.
Virginia (4-2, 0-0 ACC) played without sophomore outside hitter Lauren Dickson, who was battling the same illness that plagued other members of the team earlier in the week.
Despite the setback, the Cavaliers were very competitive against a tough Arkansas team. Virginia stayed close throughout the match, losing 30-27, 31-29 and 30-25. Senior outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood led the way with 13 kills while junior middle Shannon Davis had nine.
"We could have beat Arkansas even with our health issues, but that's just not how it worked out," head coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton said. "I am happy with our performance."
Virginia swept its match with Norfolk State Saturday afternoon, its first sweep of the season. Kirkwood led the way for Virginiawith a game-high 22 kills. Freshman setter Kelly Irvin paced the Cavaliers with 22 assists.
The setter position has been one of uncertainty for Virginia this season, as the Cavaliers have had to replace All-American Emily Kirkwood. Junior Marlow Bruneau and Irvin split the setting duties this weekend.
"We are just really young at that position experience-wise," Shelton said of the setters. "I thought both of them got better as the weekend went on."
In the finale of the Jefferson Cup, Virginia battled back after losing its first game to defeat Temple 3-1. Kirkwood again led the way with 24 kills while senior libero Melissa Caldwell tallied 13 digs. Senior middle Katie Oakes posted a team-high 10 blocks to go along with 11 kills. Kirkwood and Caldwell were named to the All-Tournament team.
"As a team, I thought we played better," Irvin said of this weekend's performance. "I, personally, have things to work on, but I think as the year progresses and I get more used to the team and more familiar with everything, it'll come together."
The main focus of these pre-conference tournaments for the Cavaliers is to establish a team identity. Virginia definitely made strides to achieving that this weekend.
"I think it's a matter of our setters determining our personality and who is going to play what role," Shelton said. "It takes a few matches to figure that out."
Virginia's 2-1 record was good enough for second place in this weekend's tournament. Arkansas took the Jefferson Cup, winning all three of its matches. Temple ended 1-2, good enough for third place while Norfolk State finished fourth with an 0-3 record.
"I am glad that we ended up 2-1," Shelton said. "We are slowly working things out and developing a more cohesive unit."
The Cavaliers will compete in their final non-conference tournament next weekend in San Diego, arguably its toughest weekend of the year. Virginia will battle Oklahoma, San Diego and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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