Hoping to improve its disappointing conference record, the Virginia women's volleyball team hosts Clemson and Georgia Tech in Charlottesville this weekend, rounding out a four-game homestand at Memorial Gym.
As inconsistent play haunts Virginia (7-11, 2-5 ACC), playing at its home court will hopefully give the team momentum.
"It's actually unreal the amount of adversity our team's had to deal with this year," senior defensive specialist Brittani Rendina said. "The rest of the season isn't predetermined, and we still have a lot to work for."
Virginia still has to face some of the conference's stiffest competition. Clemson (13-5, 4-3 ACC) is stacked with two strong offensive players: freshmen middle hitters Alexa Rand and Sandra Adeleye. Senior outside hitter Lia Proctor, meanwhile, averages 3.63 kills per setting, good enough for second-best in the conference. Rand leads the conference in blocks - averaging 1.44 per set - and also on defense, the Tigers feature senior libero Didem Ege, who averages nearly 5 digs per set.
The Cavaliers, who have recently struggled on defense, will alter their strategy and adjust their line-up to counter Clemson's prolific offense.
"The first line of defense is blocking," Virginia coach Lee Maes said. "We're trying to review and be a little more technically proficient with what we do with our blocking."
Georgia Tech (12-5, 6-1 ACC) will also challenge the Cavaliers. The Yellow Jackets are tied for first in the conference with Duke and Florida State, having defeated No. 17 Florida State in five sets Oct. 2.
Junior setter Mary Ashley Tippins leads the conference in assists. Although Georgia Tech does not boast any one outstanding hitter, it ranks second in the league for kills. Virginia should be especially cautious of both sophomore outside hitter Bailey Hunter and sophomore middle hitter Asia Stawicka.
Against both opponents, Virginia will look to tweak internal factors such as effort, attitude, focus and communication - competitive aspects, Maes said, which start with each individual player.
"I think number one it starts with them focusing on the controllables because that's something [for which] they have to take some responsibility," Maes said.
The two-match weekend kicks off Friday when Virginia takes on Clemson at 7 p.m. Twenty-four hours later, the Cavaliers will face Georgia Tech.
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