Riding a two-game winning streak, the Virginia women's volleyball team split its weekend slate of games at Memorial Gym.
The Cavaliers (10-14, 5-8 ACC) dropped a match Saturday against No. 17 Florida State but hung on to beat Miami (14-9, 7-6 ACC) in a five-set thriller Sunday.
Friday night, the Seminoles (21-2, 12-1 ACC) stayed true to their ranking, sweeping Virginia in every set, 25-12, 26-24, and 25-19.
Florida State relied on its wide range of hitters to pace its offense. Six different players for the Seminoles tallied five or more kills in the match. Senior middle Brianna Barry and junior outside hitter Stephanie Neville led the team with nine kills each.
"It just came down to how well we could limit what Florida State does offensively," Virginia coach Lee Maes said. "They're a really strong offensive team especially with the amount of hitters that can put the ball down."
Against such a wide array of offensive ability, preparing for a team like Florida State proved difficult.
"We know the game plan and everything, but then once they start doing something different, we freak out," senior libero Brittani Rendina said. "We forget sometimes to just play volleyball, do what we know, have fun, and relax. I think that was our biggest problem."
Sophomore outside hitter Simone Asque led the offense with 10 kills, and Rendina had the same number of digs to lead the defense.
After their loss to the Seminoles, the Cavaliers were determined not to drop matches against two Florida opponents in the same weekend. Sunday against Miami, Virginia took control from the opening set. The Cavaliers dominated and easily came out on top, 25-18.
Intensity from both teams fueled the second set, with nine tie scores and two lead changes. Eventually, though, the Hurricanes took the set, 25-23. In the third set, Virginia could not keep an early lead, and Miami again emerged victorious, 25-22.
Facing defeat in the fourth set, however, the Cavaliers rebounded. Asque, junior middle Sydney Hill and freshman setter Rachel Gray provided some key hits and defensive plays to overcome a draw at 20 points. The Hurricanes and Cavaliers both made crucial service and hitting errors, but an attack error by Miami proved the most disastrous. At the time, Virginia held a 24-23 lead, and the Hurricanes' error ended the set and prevented them from taking the round to extra points. Riding the fourth set's momentum, Virginia took the fifth and final set.
"First and foremost, the serving and passing game was much better then Miami's," Maes said.
For the 13th game in a row, Asque topped Virginia's attack, notching a career-high 29 kills. Junior right side hitter Kendahl Voelker added 14 kills and five blocks. Gray contributed 53 assists to go along with her 18 digs, earning her fourth career double-double. Rendina anchored the defense with a season-best 34 digs, marking her second 30-plus dig game of her career.
"Personally I kind of just had a reality check, I have seven games left period in my career, and I don't want any regrets," Rendina said.
Virginia also out-blocked Miami 11-9 and totaled nine service aces.
"Ultimately it came down to our team doing a consistent job in executing a defensive game plan, and when we can have everybody on the same page, that gives our whole team confidence and it gives us an opportunity to win," Maes said.
With only seven conference games left, Virginia hopes to sustain that level of intensity.
"There's a really big sense of urgency now - like, no more chances, crunch time, got to perform," Rendina said.
The Cavaliers hit the road this weekend to play rivals North Carolina and N.C. State on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
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