Following an impressive victory against N.C. State Friday night, the Virginia volleyball team came out focused and energized from the first ball and dominated its match Sunday afternoon against North Carolina.
The Cavaliers (12-7, 7-3 ACC) used a strong, balanced attack to defeat the Tar Heels (8-10, 4-5 ACC) three games to none, marking the first time this season that North Carolina had been swept. The game scores were 30-15, 30-24, and 30-27.
It was the second match in a row that Virginia jumped on top of its opponent right from the start and set the tone early, which has been a point of emphasis this week in practice for coach Melissa Aldrich Shelton.
"We wanted to just jump out of the guns, try not to get behind and stay ahead," Shelton said. "I am really proud of our team for doing that."
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 17-9 lead in the first game and eventually took the game 30-15 with a hitting percentage of .395 compared to .114 from the Tar Heels.
The second game saw more of the same as Virginia gained an 11-5 lead early and cruised to a 30-24 victory.
The third and final game was close early until Virginia built a 24-17 lead. The Cavaliers held on to take the game and the match 30-27.
Four Virginia players recorded double-digit kills against the Tar Heels with senior outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood tallying a match-high 18. Junior middle Shannon Davis had 11 kills while sophomore outside hitter Tara Hester and senior middle Katie Oakes each posted 10 kills.
Hester and Davis both came through this weekend filling in for sophomore outside hitter Lauren Dickson who is still hobbled by an injury.
"I think our whole team is really stepping it up," Hester said. "We are being very balanced with our attack."
Orchestrating the offense has been freshman setter Kelly Irvin who has spread the ball around and put hitters in a position to attack effectively. Irvin recorded 46 assists against North Carolina.
The offense was kicking on all cylinders this weekend and seemed to be in sync.
"We are just getting more comfortable with our setting situation," Shelton said of the offense. "The hitters are getting in better and better shape and a better rhythm. You execute better as the year goes on because you get to develop your rhythm."
Senior libero Melissa Caldwell led the Cavalier defensive effort with 15 digs. Caldwell did not make the trip to Blacksburg earlier in the week because of illness but returned this weekend to provide leadership and energy.
"We have really worked a lot this week on just playing with passion and it came out tonight," Shelton said. "I think our seniors stepped up and really wanted it."
Pacing the Tar Heels were sophomore middle hitters Christine Vaughen who posted nine kills and Heather Brooks who tallied four kills and seven blocks.
Virginia returns to the court next weekend when it visits Wake Forest and ACC front-runner Duke.
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